SUPERDRUG has been accused of racism after a customer spotted two CCTV warning notices in the section for “Black and Asian hair care”.
Xavy Wright complained there were no warning notices aimed at potential shoplifters in the section containing “white” hair products.
The marketing worker from Brighton said the signage in the city’s main railway station store suggested only black people were liable to steal.
Xavy filmed herself walking along rows of shampoo, hair dye, and other hair products – none of which feature the CCTV warning notice. Yet the small section aimed at black and Asian customers features two signs just two shelves apart.
Xavy took to the high street chemists’ Facebook page to vent her frustration over the issue, and posted the clip with the caption: “Saw this at your Brighton store at the train station.
“I think it’s just rude and quite racist if I’m honest.”
The 25-second clip begins with Xavy filming the black and asian hair section in her local superdrug.
The small section of shelves has two bright yellow CCTV notices in front of the selection of products.
The sign clearly reads: “For your safety and security this area is monitored by CCTV.”
A furious Xavy can be heard saying: “So Superdrug, apparently only black people steal things, because they decided to put two CCTV things in the black hair products.”
Xavy turns the camera around to the rest of the hair product section, which contains shampoos, conditioners, and other products, generally used on caucasian hair.
As she scans down the aisle filled with products she says: “Look at all the white products, nothing.”
Turning to the hair dye section and going further up the line, Xavy adds: “Nothing, nothing, not one.”
Finally, Xavy finds a CCTV sticker nestled in the corner above a selection of makeup brushes and nail products. She said: “Until…there’s one there, but there’s two on the black hair products. Hmm.”
Speaking today, Xavy said: “I think it’s just terrible in this day and age to have such blatant disrespect to a race of people.”
Superdrug apologised for the placement of the signs and said they were investigating.
A spokeswoman for the company said: “We apologise for any offence this has caused to Ms Wright and any other customers this was certainly never our intention.
“Superdrug prides itself on the diversity of its customers and colleagues and a lot of work has been done over the last few years to ensure we provide a wide range of products for all our customers.
“There are CCTV cameras and signs placed throughout Superdrug stores to prevent theft and to ensure the safety and security of our customers.
“We’re investigating the placement of the signs in the Brighton Station store and will ensure these are now placed throughout the store in line with our company policy.”
In June last year, Boots were accused of using the word “normal” to describe white skin and suggesting brown and black skin is abnormal.
The chemist came under fire after they released a chart aiming to help shoppers decipher the best sun cream for their skin.
The chart started off with ‘sensitive’ and ‘fair’ skin, suggesting a high SPF, but then added ‘normal’ as the next step on the chart – followed by ‘olive’, ‘brown’ and ‘black’.
The chart caused controversy, with Boots apologising for any offence caused by the chart and having it removed from the store.
In January last year, US retailer Walmart faced a discrimination lawsuit after a woman accused them of locking black hair products in a glass case – while other merchandise was easily accessible.
Essie Grundy claims while shopping at a Walmart in California she discovered that hair and skin products designed for African Americans were placed in a secured box that could only be opened by a store employee.
Gundy also said that after she asked for the case to be opened, she was prohibited from touching the products until she purchased them.
