A third of Indonesian consumers have boycotted a brand

New YouGov research reveals four in ten of those who boycotted a brand say they still don’t use it

YouGov’s new Brand Boycotters report explores the nature of consumers that stop using a brand, and underlines how vital it is to placate their anger following adverse headlines. It shows that of those who stopped using a brand, four in ten (42%) still don’t.

Product recalls and offensive advertising are the top reasons for boycotting a brand (52% and 45%, respectively, of those who have stopped using a brand have done so for these reasons). One in five (22%) stopped using a brand because of animals being mistreated; more than the 16% which were prompted by workers in the supply chain being treated badly.

YouGov’s report suggests that although some boycotting consumers do come back eventually, rarely do they use the brand as much as they did before. Indeed, four in ten (42%) say they still do not use the brand, while nearly half (48%) went back to the brand they used it less often. Only 6% used it as much as previously.

Overall, half the Indonesian population (51%) say they “only buy products from companies that have ethics and values that I agree with”. This rises to three-fifths (61%) among those who have boycotted a brand and no longer use it as much as they used to (if at all).

There have been a number of cases of brands getting in hot water with consumers over the past couple of years over issues such as product safety or not treating staff well enough. While it is not as straightforward as saying that every time a brand is seen to misbehave it will lose customers, there is a distinct proportion of consumers who will vote with their wallets.

Photo source: iStock