A small business owner has come under fire after she urged Australians to ditch the “no shopping trend” and shop at the “small” instead of Coles or Woolworths.
Bonnie, co-owner of Sunshine Coast business Bubbles and Brew, said the “don’t shop” trend, which encourages shoppers to cut back on any non-essential spending, was “stressful” for small businesses that are already under pressure.
The 38-year-old and her twin sister own a cafe in Kunda Park, in the city’s west, and have run Bubbles and Brew in an old caravan since March 2024.
“This trend of not shopping really scares me because people are trying to save money – which I agree with 100 percent – but it scares me because it will hurt small businesses. That’s me,” he said in a TikTok video this week.
‘Aren’t you buying coffees to save money? Don’t you go to the gym to save money? These are small businesses. What else are you not spending money on?
‘How about we start a new trend of buying from small businesses, rather than big ones like Coles and Woolies?’
But Australians were quick to point out that millions of households were already struggling to afford essentials during a cost of living crisis.
‘People are struggling to pay rent and put food on the table. A business is an investment and if it fails because it is not essential, so be it, that is the risk you took when you started it,’ commented one woman.
Sunshine Coast woman Bonnie (pictured) said she was afraid the “don’t shop” trend would hit her small business and urged Australians to boycott Coles and Woolies.
Bonnie and her twin sister (pictured) own a cafe in Kunda Park, in the city’s west, and have been running a catering, coffee and cocktail business in an old caravan since March.
‘$15 dollars for two coffees, adding that a couple of times a week the gym costs a week! Gyms are not small businesses. “I don’t know what country you’re from but people can’t put food on the table,” wrote a second.
‘I love how you turn off comments on videos where people disagree with you. We’re all here working two or three jobs trying to survive. “If your business is struggling, join us,” wrote a third.
Bonnie told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday that her comments had been misinterpreted.
“I didn’t say that with malice, and it’s not just my business I’m worried about, all small businesses will be affected,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I know everyone is struggling right now and I’m one of them. Viewers don’t know that I also hand out flyers on the weekends and run a financial business, because I don’t put it online.
“The point I wanted to get across in that video is to save money where you can, but don’t forget the little ones.”
Instead of cutting all “excessive” spending, Bonnie urged Australians to consider how they can save while supporting local businesses.
“We are a family that works to support our children and we strive every day to earn every dollar we can,” he said.
Bonnie co-owns a café in Kunda Park and a catering, coffee and cocktail business in a vintage caravan (pictured)
‘There are large companies that already have bank accounts worth millions of dollars, they already have customers. Everyone has to go to Coles and Woolies at some point, but there are other ways to save.
“I will find better ways to manage my money, but I will not forget to buy a coffee at the local coffee shop, I will not forget to go to the market to buy fruits and vegetables.”
Bonnie encouraged Australians to look into cheaper insurance to save money rather than stop supporting small businesses.
‘I totally understand that everyone can do what they want. “I know everyone is struggling right now,” he said.
“It was just my idea to say, don’t forget about us.”
Bonnie said some people over the festive period had already started cutting back on their cafe spending.
However, some dedicated customers “wouldn’t give up their daily coffee for anything.”
“I wish you all the best in your savings goals this year,” Bonnie said.
‘I’m in the same situation, everything is very expensive. I’m also trying to reduce costs. “I just won’t stop supporting the little ones over the big ones.”