Shopper slams Boots over ‘racist’ security tags

Boots has been accused of racism after a customer complained about in-store security tags.

Natasha Wright, a make-up artist, posted a video online showing rows of hair essentials labelled ‘black hair care’ sealed by the anti-theft devices. In the next aisle were rows of hair essentials for ‘white’ people, including Aussie and L'Oreal brands. These were untagged despite some costing £10 each.

In the video, taken at the retailer’s Wembley High Road branch, Wright comments: "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. Stick to what you know best. But don't insult us, Boots."

She also wrote on Facebook: "As a person of colour it's a wonderful thing when we can do a beauty shop all in one place, it makes you feel included. To be made to feel like second class citizens is an absolute travesty…Shame on you Boots". 

A Boots spokeswoman said: “We want to provide a safe, friendly and inclusive shopping experience for all of our customers and we take product security very seriously. To prevent theft our colleagues in the communities they serve add security tags to the products they believe are being stolen, and do this regardless of what the product is, the cost of it, or which aisle they are on."

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