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Rabat – Popular American coffee shop chain Starbucks and Swedish ready-to-wear clothing brand H&M have announced their decision to cease operations in Morocco this December, according to local media.
Reports said that the Moroccan subsidiary of the Kuwaiti franchise giant Alshaya Morocco, which owns the franchise rights of both H&M and Starbucks, is grappling with the repercussions of a widespread commercial boycott initiated by Moroccans.
In the aftermath of Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip, a widespread boycott campaign has taken a toll on various Western brands in Arab countries, with significant repercussions observed in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, and Morocco.
Fast-food giants like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and KFC have witnessed a notable decline in customers, reflecting the widespread anger and condemnation over the Israeli bloody war against the Palestinians.
The boycott, largely fueled by calls on social media, has expanded to include dozens of companies and products compelling consumers to opt for local alternatives.
These brands are under suspicion of allegedly providing financial support to Israel in the midst of its aggression on Gaza and the West Bank.
However, reported official statements from the companies point to a different narrative. They said that the decision to exit the Moroccan market is driven by a perceived lack of attractiveness for their respective businesses.
The Moroccan populace, however, seems to attribute the departures to the alleged ties between these international brands and Israel.
Targeted brands like McDonald’s Morocco have defended themselves against what they labeled as “misinformation” and rumors. However, the boycott has continued to gain momentum with stores being reported as nearly empty.
The boycott, which was unprecedented in scale, has extended beyond the Arab world, with reports of diminished customer traffic in Malaysiaand other regions.
