Pro-cash advocates call for boycott of Coles, Woolies

An online community boasting tens of thousands of members is calling for a boycott of Coles and Woolworths – but not for the reason you think.

A group of pro-cash advocates boasting more than 50,000 members is calling on Australians to boycott Coles and Woolworths stores across the country over their payment polices.

Members of the Call out Cashless Businesses Facebook group issued an appeal on Saturday for people to avoid the supermarket giants and “support a family business instead”.

Supporters described the boycott as “important” and said it showed they “won’t be controlled”, while many commenters said they avoided the major chains everyday anyway.

“I prefer to shop at Drakes, IGA, and Foodland in South Australia. No self serve with these Supermarkets. They create jobs for the community,” one social media user said.

Another added: “I don’t shop at either anyway (unless an emergency) so the 4th is just another day. Started my own personal protest against them years ago”.

Pro-cash advocates are calling for a boycott on Saturday of Coles and Woolworths. Picture: Facebook

Nandos drew the ire of pro-cash advocates after it went cashless.

Some in the Facebook community described cashless prioritisation as “financial fascism”, with others adding: “Let’s do this Australia, their killing our farmers”.

Both Coles and Woolworths have been targeted by the so-called “Cash is King” community over an increasing prioritisation of automation and cashless payment.

The criticism intensified late last year when Woolworths announced it would slash the amount of cash customers would be able to withdraw and would require a purchase.

A range of large and small businesses – from banks to amusement parks and restaurant chains – have drawn the ire of the pro-cash community in recent weeks.

Portuguese-style chicken store Nando was heavily criticised by the community after a tongue-in-cheek announcement signalling it would soon be going cashless.

The decision by Macquarie Bank to go cashless was also met with criticism, with many citing the oft-repeated claim cash has to be accepted because it is legal tender.