CENTENNIAL, Colo. (KDVR) – A new checkout policy at the Walmart in Centennial is under scrutiny for its security measures around beauty products for people of color.
The allegations of racial bias come almost a year after Walmart changed is practice on locking up beauty products for people of color at its stores.
“I honestly will probably not go back there again because of how I felt,” said Rachel from Aurora, who visited the Walmart store around 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
Rachel was purchasing shampoo in the beauty products for people of color aisle when allegedly stopped by a clerk who told her she needed to pay for the bottle at a special register near the back of the store before she could continue shopping in other parts of the Walmart store.
“I asked the sales associate, if I am purchasing Caucasian products do I need to do the same thing? She said no you can walk around the store with those products,” Rachel told the Problem Solvers. “I told her I had more shopping to do, she said it didn’t matter I still needed to pay for it back there.”
There’s also clearly more surveillance around that particular aisle. There are three cameras over the beauty products for people of color aisle and only one over the other shampoos and conditioners.
“Honestly, I was shocked, because this is 2021, racism and discrimination are still happening,” said Rachel. “It’s either one or the other. You monitor all haircare products, or you don’t. It’s not okay to point out one group.”
A Walmart spokesperson responded to the alleged incident saying:
“We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind at Walmart. We serve millions of customers weekly, crossing all demographics, and are focused on meeting their needs while providing the best shopping experience at each store.Like other retailers, we have policies in place that allow security for some items, such as cosmetics and other personal care products. In the case of this store, the entire section of products is under additional monitoring. However, we do not want those policies to create an unfriendly shopping environment for any individual customer. The goal is to keep the products our customers want in stock while providing a convenient and friendly shopping experience. We have followed up with the store to ensure those policies will be followed properly in the future, and to provide a welcoming environment for our customers.”
Rachel hopes to hear a personal apology from Walmart after calling its corporate stores but hasn’t yet heard back.
“The more we speak out about it and just let other people know what’s happening, maybe they will change the division and discrimination we have in the country right now,” said Rachel.
“I am hoping to hear an apology, I’m hoping to hear they will change this policy immediately, that’s what I’m hoping to hear.”
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“There’s also clearly more surveillance around that particular aisle. There are three cameras over the beauty products for people of color aisle and only one over the other shampoos and conditioners.”
Do you think that Black people are so use to getting free stuff,
that they don’t think they should have to pay for their beauty products and steal them??
Exactly. MAYBE IF HISTORY and facts didn’t show BLACKS ARE MORE LIKELY TO STEAL, there wouldn’t BE Such need for said higher security around “Black products’ isles..
Who knows? Some people always feel slighted and need something to complain about. Cosmetics are usually very expensive for their size and are often targets of shoplifters of all colors shapes and sizes. When department stores first came into vogue in the 40s and 50s. People paid for the products from that department in that department. Most department stores used to keep jewelry and cosmetics behind the counter in cosmetic cases. Penny’s still does. Each department had its own check out to prevent theft.
Some stores, still have a separate check out for electronics, and another for the pharmacy.. BUT gone are the registers for other areas.
“The more we speak out about it and just let other people know what’s happening, maybe they will change the division and discrimination we have in the country right now,” said Rachel.
Hey Rachel, how about stop stealing the products, and perhaps the store can let up on the additional security measures…
ANY TIME they don’t get their way, it HAS TO be ‘racism’..
Of course, Rachel, with no last name, a typical liberal playing the race card garbage.
It’s probably Rachel Dolezal. Remember her? She uses a lot of those products to try and appear black.
I can remember about 50 years ago, when I lived in Fort Worth, Texas, Woolco built a big new store there. I don’t remember how long it was open before one time I went in and they were having a closeout sale. I asked the cashier when I checked out, why are you closing. She told me “The blacks are stealing us blind.”
Facts are facts: There are some who are led to believe that if you cannot afford something it is your right to steal it. It has nothing to do with race it is all about parental guidance which includes, decency, honesty, morality and good conscience. It will only get worse as this admin. continues to take from the productive and give to the nonproductive.
IT may not matter what race one is, BUT IT CERTAINLY SEEMS like the race committing MOST OF THOSE thefts, are one of a certain ‘group’… AND EVERYONE HERE can name that group with one try (here’s a hint, its NOT WHITES).
If the products were not disappearing, there would be NO cameras! DUH ! common sense to have cameras there.