Make-up artist slams Boots for adding security tags to ‘black hair care’ products and not those aimed at 'white' customers
Make-up brand Boots landed in hot water after being accused of racism for placing security tags on hair products popular among African American customers while leaving other products untagged.
The devices, which are designed to prevent theft, outraged make-up artist Natasha Wright as she visited a store on Wembley High Road in northwest London, The Sun reports.
Rows of expensive hair care products apparently aimed at white women costing up to £10 ($12.44) per piece can be seen left untagged in footage shared by Wright on social media. These products included items from the popular brand L'Oreal and a few products from Australia.
On the other hand, products in a nearby shelf dedicated to "black hair care" had small security strips attached to them despite being priced much lower than the others.
In the video, Wright can be heard calling out Boots. "Boots, what are you trying to say? If you think we're going to be coming into your store stealing, don't bother to stock it," she said. "Stick to what you know best. But don't insult us, Boots. To be made to feel like second class citizens is an absolute travesty."
"We are being made to feel like second-class citizens," Wright told The Sun about the incident. "Shame on you, Boots."
Meanwhile, Martyn James of consumer group Revolver chimed in. "It's 2019... And in these modern times, it should be one rule for all, not for some," he said.
Boots issued a statement in response to the backlash saying, "To prevent theft, our colleagues add security tags to the products they believe are being stolen. They do this regardless of what the product is, the cost of it, or which aisle they are on."