Belgrade Post

Чуј одсад наше гласе
Tuesday, Jul 08, 2025

Widespread Closures in Belgrade as Shops and Consumers Respond to Strike Call

Widespread Closures in Belgrade as Shops and Consumers Respond to Strike Call

Businesses across the Serbian capital largely shut down in response to a strike call, leaving streets unusually quiet.
Belgrade, one of southeastern Europe's most bustling capitals, appeared subdued today as a significant number of businesses shuttered their operations in response to a call for a general strike.

Prominent shopping areas, including the city center and various suburban districts, witnessed low foot traffic and mostly empty establishments.

Reports from various locations indicate that public transportation was sparse, further compounding the eerily quiet atmosphere.

Many residents were observed waiting for buses that did not arrive, prompting some to walk across the city.

The scene was consistent from Vidikovac to Banovo Brdo, where stores operating had minimal patronage, and employees were seen taking breaks outside.

Numerous businesses, from fast-food outlets and hair salons to bookstores and cinemas, remained closed for the day.

Notices on some storefronts explained disruptions due to "technical issues" or "annual leave," while others did not specify reasons.

Participating in the strike, employees from a well-known fast-food chain and a downtown cosmetic store reported a noticeable drop in customer numbers.

Postal workers also noted reduced activity at service counters.

The strike call coincided with student-led protests, motivating some citizens to refrain from shopping.

Businesspeople in large commercial chains declined to comment on sales figures, referring inquiries to management.

Similarly, the film industry paused its operations, with cinema 'Roda Cineplex' in Banovo Brdo among those that closed.

Creative notifications in various shops, such as a pizzeria advising customers to "reserve Friday for pizza at home," suggest support for the protests among some business owners.

Across town, while Boulevard Kralja Aleksandra had more storefronts open, they reported few customers.

Employees either stood outside or recorded footage as students marched from Vukov Spomenik to Ušće.

The contrast was evident in central areas like Knez Mihailova and Republic Square, where visitor traffic comprised mainly of tourists seemingly unaware of the strike's significance.

In artistic quarters such as Čumićevo Sokače, many shops were locked, showcasing solidarity with student demonstrators.

Bookstores, including well-known chains like Vulkan and Laguna, stayed closed in large support of the protest, with nearly all stores in the city participating in the shutdown.

For ongoing updates on the general strike, visit the Danas blog.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
UK and EU Reach Agreement on Gibraltar's Schengen Integration
Israeli Finance Minister Imposes Banking Penalties on Palestinians
U.S. Inflation Rises to 2.4% in May Amid Trade Tensions
Trump's Policies Prompt Decline in Chinese Student Enrollment in U.S.
Global Oceans Near Record Temperatures as CO₂ Levels Climb
Trump Announces U.S.-China Trade Deal Covering Rare Earths
Smuggled U.S. Fuel Funds Mexican Cartels Amid Crackdown
Italian Parents Seek Therapy Amid Lengthy School Holidays
Europe Prepares for Historic Lunar Rover Landing
Bezos's Lavish Venice Wedding Sparks Local Protests
Dutch Government Collapses Amid Migration Policy Dispute
Germany Moves to Expedite Migrant Deportations
US Urges UK to Raise Defence Spending to 5% of GDP
UK Commits to 3.5% GDP Defence Spending Under NATO Pressure
British Fishing Vessel Seized by France Fined €30,000
Man Group Mandates Full-Time Office Return for Quantitative Analysts
JPMorgan Warns Analysts Against Accepting Future-Dated Job Offers
Builder.ai Faces Legal Scrutiny Amid Financial Misreporting Allegations
Japan Grapples with Rice Shortage Amid Soaring Prices
Goldman Sachs Reduces Risk Exposure Amid Market Volatility
HSBC Chairman Mark Tucker to Return to AIA as Non-Executive Chair
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Judge Blocks Trump's Ban on International Students at Harvard
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Eurozone Inflation Falls Below ECB Target to 1.9%
Call for a New Chapter in Globalisation Emerges
Blackstone and Rivals Diverge on Private Equity Strategy
Russian Drone and Missile Strikes Kill 13 in Ukraine
High-Profile Incidents and Political Developments Dominate Global News
Netanyahu Accuses Western Leaders of 'Emboldening Hamas'
Leaked Secret Report: How the Muslim Brotherhood Is Expanding in France—With Qatari Funding
A Chinese company made solar tiles that look way nicer than regular panels!
Article 17 May, 18:54
A Pakistani imam in Italy gave a sermon stating that every Muslim should fight the infidels or face ‘catastrophic consequences’.
US and Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Agreements Across Multiple Sectors
Why Saudi Arabia Rolled Out a Purple Carpet for Donald Trump Instead of Red
Poland Tightens Immigration Policy with New Plan to Suspend Asylum Law
Quantum Computing Threatens Bitcoin Security
New Details Emerge on Syrian Attacker's Motives in German Festival Stabbing
Arsenal Stages Comeback to Draw 2-2 Against Liverpool in Premier League Clash
×