Walmart sued over beauty products

By Gina Acosta - 01/30/2018

Walmart often adds extra security measure for theft prone items as was the case at this Tucson, Az. area Neighborhood Market store Retail Leader visit in April 2017.

A woman is suing Walmart over what she says are instances of racial discrimination in its beauty aisles.

Essie Grundy, a 43-year-old mother of five, told reporters during a news conference in Los Angeles on Friday that she recently visited a Walmart near her home in Perris to buy skin cream and noticed that some beauty products designed for African-American customers were kept under lock and key. Grundy complained and was told the policy was a directive from Walmart’s corporate offices, she said.

Grundy says she believes this is a result of racial discrimination, and as a result, has decided to sue. She'll be represented by women's rights lawyer Gloria Allred, who said of the situation, “It perpetuates a racial stereotype that African-Americans are thieves."