Superdrug in racism claim for CCTV signs in aisle for black hair

SUPERDRUG has become embroiled in a racism row after apologising over claims it placed double the number of CCTV monitoring signs near black hair products.

Xavy Wright complained that she saw twice the number of warnings at that part of the store displaying frizz control and moisturising products compared to the rest of the aisle, which she claimed implied black people are more likely to steal.

Superdrug has apologised and said it is investigating the placement of signs on two shelves which read “for your safety and security this area is monitored by CCTV”.

Ms Wright first shared her concerns in a video filmed in the store in Brighton’s railway station. She said: “It was the first time I’d been in that store but I’d read reviews that said they had a good selection of black hair products.

“It’s a small section of the aisle and there’s two of these CCTV notices. I was like ‘there’s one at the end of the aisle then two in the black hair section’. It’s like they think it’s only black people who steal. Fair enough to have one sign but why do they need two?

“I think it was deliberate. If not they would have them all over the aisle not just two in that one area.

“It’s offensive and racist. At first I thought maybe they weren’t being consciously racist but then I thought maybe they are because they put two there.”

Ms Wright, who is in her late 20s, said she didn’t complain at the time but later shared a video of what she’d seen on social media posting it to the Superdrug site.

A spokesman for Superdrug 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.

“We have carried out a full investigation with the duty manager today and can confirm that we have 15 CCTV security signs in multiple locations around the Brighton station store in line with our company policy.”