From March 21 to March 28, 2025, a consumer-led initiative known as the “Nestlé Blackout” will urge individuals to refrain from purchasing Nestlé products. This action is part of a broader wave of boycotts targeting major corporations that have scaled back their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives following recent policy changes. The movement is being led by The People’s Union USA, a grassroots organization focused on economic resistance and corporate reform.
What Brands Fall Under Nestlé’s Umbrella?
Nestlé currently owns over 2,000 brands spanning a wide range of industries—from chocolate and baby food to cosmetics and frozen entrees. Impressively, 29 of Nestlé’s brands generate over $1 billion in annual sales. Some of Nestlé’s top and most recognizable brands include:
- KitKat
- Cheerios
- Gerber
- Häagen-Dazs
- Coffee Mate
- Pure Life
- Hot Pockets
- Toll House
- Stouffer’s
- L’Oréal
- Maybelline
- Purina
- DiGiorno
- Lean Cuisine
- Nescafé
These products reach millions of households worldwide, making Nestlé one of the most influential consumer goods companies on the planet.
Background and Objectives
The Nestlé Blackout aims to protest the rollback of DEI programs by Nestlé and other major corporations. Participants are encouraged to avoid purchasing from Nestlé’s extensive brand portfolio during the blackout. This includes well-known products like Cheerios cereal, Purina pet food, and KitKat chocolate.
This boycott follows similar consumer actions against companies such as Amazon and Target. It also precedes upcoming blackouts planned for Walmart and General Mills..
Effectiveness of Consumer Blackouts
The effectiveness of consumer blackouts and boycotts varies. Short-term actions, like a 24-hour economic blackout, may not significantly affect a company’s revenue—but they can raise public awareness and signal widespread consumer dissatisfaction.
Marketing experts note that while one-day boycotts might cause temporary dips in sales, longer, more sustained efforts are often required to bring about lasting corporate change.
Effectiveness of Recent Boycotts (2025)
The impact of consumer boycotts in 2025 has varied by company:
- Target: After scaling back its DEI programs, Target experienced a 10.9% drop in web traffic and a 10.7% decrease in foot traffic during the February 28 blackout. The company is currently facing a 40-day boycott that began on March 5, 2025, which has further impacted its market value.
- Amazon: The tech giant was targeted with a week-long boycott from March 7 to March 14, 2025. During the February 28 action, Amazon’s web traffic dropped by 4.6%. The sustained boycott aimed to pressure Amazon into reinstating DEI efforts.
- Walmart: Walmart will be under a week-long boycott from April 7 to April 14, 2025. During the February 28 blackout, its web traffic declined by 6.5%. Walmart continues to face public criticism for rolling back DEI commitments.
- McDonald’s: A boycott is scheduled for June 24 to June 30, 2025, with the fast-food giant under fire for its stance on DEI policies. Although data on the boycott’s impact is still forthcoming, public scrutiny and consumer backlash have already intensified.
Conclusion
The Nestlé Blackout represents a growing effort by consumers to hold corporations accountable for backing away from their DEI promises. While the financial impact of short-term boycotts may be modest, the collective, sustained pressure signals a powerful message: consumers are watching—and they expect better.
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