VICTORIA BOURNE, MCCLATCHY
A Washington, D.C.-based group claims two Wal-Marts in Hampton Roads are discriminating by using security packaging on black hair products, but the retailer says such measures have nothing to do with race and everything to do with protecting inventory from shoplifters.
Members of the Making Change at Walmart campaign held a news conference Wednesday in front of Suffolk City Hall, claiming that security boxes are being used on hair products for African Americans at Wal-Marts on North Main Street in Suffolk and on Tidewater Drive in Norfolk.
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"Products as low as $1.97, locked up," said Randy Parraz, campaign director. It sends a message that whoever is buying the items is not to be trusted, he added.
Reporters visited both locations Wednesday and found the security packaging being used at only the Suffolk location.
The news conference was sparsely attended. Councilman Curtis Milteer and an unnamed representative from Suffolk's NAACP were scheduled to speak, according to a news release, though Milteer did not attend and no one from the NAACP spoke.
"We are disappointed with these allegations because they are false and offensive," Phillip Keene, a Wal-Mart spokesman, said in an email.
Keene said some products are more frequently targeted by shoplifters and cited razors and baby formula as examples.
"Unfortunately, the hair care items shown in the photo are heavily targeted by shoplifters in this particular store, so we are taking normal measures to protect the items against theft so they are available for the customers who need them," he wrote.
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