Posted on January 29, 2018

Mom Sues Walmart to End Policy of Locking Up, ‘Segregating’ Beauty Products

KCBS-TV, January 26, 2018

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Essie Grundy told reporters at a news conference Friday she has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the retail giant after asking for assistance to buy a 49-cent comb, which was among several products secured in a glass casing at the Perris store.

“I originally got the product from the Walmart in Riverside…and it was such a good product, I wanted to introduce it to my older children,” said Grundy. “They didn’t have anymore at the original Walmart that I got it from, so I went to my neighborhood one, and that’s when I noticed all of the African-American products was locked up under lock and key.”

According to Grundy, she was “shocked” by the policy and asked a store manager to have it changed, but was refused.

Similar complaints have been made in the past by groups such as Making Change At Walmart, which calls the policy a “discriminatory practice”.

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In addition to an apology, Grundy’s attorney Gloria Allred said they’re hoping to have a court injunction to halt Walmart’s practice of locking up products.

Walmart has previously responded to such claims – which they say are “false and offensive” – by pointing out some products are more frequently targeted by shoplifters, including baby formula and razors.

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