Store Owner Bans Pepsi Products When He Notices ‘Offensive’ Logo

A grocery store owner was stocking his refrigerators with Pepsi products when he noticed a new logo on some sodas. When he took a closer look, he immediately removed the products from the shelves and informed his customers that he would not sell them due to the “offensive” message.

For Phillip Stewart, connecting with customers can be the difference between making a living and going broke. Every business decision he makes can potentially bring a profit to the Georgian entrepreneur or cause him to suffer a loss, or even a devastating blow if he is not careful.

As the owner of S&Z Grocery off Highway 72, Stewart sees a variety of consumers from all walks of life pass through his supermarket. Of course, these customers have incredibly diverse political and social views, which normally wouldn’t be much of a problem for typical business owners. However, due to Stewart’s strong personal beliefs, he changed the way he did business in a controversial move.

While stocking his refrigerators, Stewart noticed a detail on some Pepsi bottles that he had never seen before. Upon closer inspection, he realized that he simply couldn’t sell these drinks and maintain his personal beliefs. It was then that he undertook a difficult and incredibly risky business move.

According to WAFF, Stewart announced on Facebook that he had officially banned certain Pepsi products from his supermarket because they contained the NFL logo on the label. The Athens store owner concluded that because Pepsi decided to partner with a market that supports its employees by disrespecting the American flag, the national anthem, and police officers, it will no longer carry their products.

“This might cause me to lose business, but there you go,” Stewart wrote. “S&Z Supermarket will not currently sell 20-ounce Pepsi or Diet Pepsi. Both of these items are currently produced with the NFL logo. I refuse to sell the product until the logo is removed. I will not bow down to make money as long as athletes are allowed to bow down and disrespect the flag and the country I love.

Stewart admitted that the decision was risky for business, but he ultimately came to the conclusion that he personally did not want to support a company that took such a stance when it came to honoring the flag. As such, Stewart announced that he was pulling 20-ounce Pepsi and Diet Pepsi products with the logo, which includes some Gatorade bottles.

“I don’t want to support them in any way, because I feel like it’s just wrong.” I can’t in good conscience sell the product because it has the logo on it,” Stewart said. “I removed them myself, the customers didn’t know I was doing that. I sold the product I had that didn’t have the logo. And I told my rep and the delivery guy that I didn’t want them brought into the store, because I wouldn’t sell them.

After making the decision based on his personal beliefs, Stewart was pleasantly surprised to find that most of his clients supported the decision. Yet those who didn’t expressed it expressed a more neutral stance, admitting that they didn’t care either way.

Aaron Bishop sees where Stewart is coming from, but the labels don’t bother him. “Do I personally care? No, I don’t. I’m going to have a Pepsi, I’m going to hit my Nike golf clubs. This is going to make some people angry, but I have other things to worry about,” said Bishop, a Marine veteran.

Stewart says that while he disagrees with the kneelers and those who support them, he understands their right to protest. However, he reiterates that he also has the right to protest their tactics, which include refusing to sell products with the NFL logo, according to WHNT.

“The cause is just. I think there are other ways to solve this problem. This brought attention to this point. I’m sure there’s some good to come from it, but I just don’t agree with this tactic,” Stewart said.

Stewart explained that he thinks the kneelers have some justification in their cause, but adds that using game time as a platform for their political beliefs is not appropriate. Until the logo is removed from the products, it undertakes not to restock them.

“It helps me sleep at night. I can sleep knowing that I’m not supporting someone who’s doing something I don’t believe in,” Stewart explained.

Since her announcement, Stewart has received major support for her cause and business. Although some social media users have asked their customers to boycott his Georgia store, this does not appear to have negatively affected him. In fact, quite the opposite happened.

Stewart will continue the ban on Pepsi items that contain the NFL logo on their labels, offering Coca-Cola products instead. So far, the vast majority of his customers agree with his decision and continue to purchase from his store.