Walmart Says It Will No Longer Keep ‘Multicultural’ Beauty Supplies Locked Up

In a statement on Wednesday, the multibillion dollar corporation WalMart confirmed that about 12 of its 4,700 stores nationwide has been keeping multicultural hair and beauty products under lock and key.

A lawsuit was filed in 2018 by Essie Grundy, who said products marketed toward African American customers were locked up in cases at the California store she was shopping at.

At the time, WalMart’s response defended the policy, saying that the decision on which products should be secured was the responsibility of the store managers.

On Wednesday, the company released a statement saying:

“We’re sensitive to the issue and understand the concerns raised by our customers and members of the community and have made the decision to discontinue placing multicultural hair care and beauty products — a practice in place in about a dozen of our 4,700 stores nationwide — in locked cases.”

This policy update comes after the murder of George Floyd by four Minneapolis Police officers sparked worldwide anti-racism protests that continue to call for change.