Shopping Whilst Black: Shopping at Stores that Target Black Shoppers but Not Black-Owned

Have you ever stepped into a store and sensed someone watching you, the gaze of unseen eyes, as though you’re under surveillance? Or perhaps you’ve had someone not-so-discreetly follow you around as you browse the shelves? These unsettling encounters are all too familiar for many Black shoppers worldwide. Such acts of aggression raise the fundamental question: why can’t we shop in peace? In this blog post, we’ll explore how retail settings often become spaces where anti-Black bias is upheld, meaning that Black shoppers have to navigate racial hierarchies even as they seek to buy everyday goods or simply enjoy retail therapy.

Occasionally, news headlines feature stories of Black individuals who’ve endured disrespect and humiliation during their shopping experiences. The phrase “the customer is always right” doesn’t always hold true for Black shoppers, and the Black pound is frequently undervalued. A prime example took place in London on September 11th 2023 when a Black woman visited a Black hair shop owned by an Asian retailer in Peckham. Her only request was a refund, but in response, she was physically assaulted by a larger male shop attendant. Witnessing such an aggressive reaction was extremely triggering and retraumatizing for many Black shoppers.

The incident in Peckham sparked a massive outcry within the Black community, leading to a protest outside the shop. The turnout was heartening, demonstrating the power of Black individuals coming together to support one another in the face of discrimination.

We recently released a statement in response to this incident: “BLAM UK stands in solidarity with the Black community in response to the recent incident involving the mistreatment of a Black woman at a hair shop on Rye Lane, Peckham. To address long-term economic justice, we call for a collective boycott of this shop until the responsible party is held accountable for their actions.

Furthermore, we acknowledge the systemic issues within Afro’ hair shops, where Black customers often face unwelcome surveillance, poor service, and Anti-Blackness.” It is time we prioritise our community over convenience. Along Peckham High Street, there are nine ‘Afro’ hair shops, none of which are Black-owned, perpetuating a cycle of economic imbalance.

In what world should a customer be denied a refund or exchange for a faulty item?

This is against the buyers RIGHTS! This incident highlights the need for change, and together, we can shift the power dynamic within the Black cosmetic industry towards Black wealth.”

Research indicates that Black people are more likely to be viewed as suspicious while shopping compared to individuals of other races, but most particularly in contrast to white shoppers. Furthermore, Black shoppers often endure longer waiting times and poorer customer service. Additionally being middle or upper middle class as a Black person fails to dissuade shop attendants from engaging in racial profiling based on their biases.

Despite this troubling reality, there’s a limited understanding of how processes of racial exclusion operate in the marketplace and how they alter the shopping experiences of Black consumers. Racial hierarchies are often replicated in consumer markets and thus the shopping experiences of Black shoppers are negatively impacted. The lack of research into these experiences contributes to unfortunate oversight and failure to take them seriously.

When such incidents go unexamined, they are more likely to be dismissed or ignored, perpetuating a cycle of discrimination and injustice. It is so important that we advocate for more ways to shed light on these issues, raise awareness, and work towards creating a retail environment where all shoppers can enjoy equal rights and respect.

We urge you to consider purchasing Black hair products from BLACK OWNED stores, an industry where Black women are statistically dominant, accounting for 80% of hair product sales, contributing over £5 billion annually to the UK economy.

The retail market has long been monopolised by South Asian men. It’s time we shift this narrative and ensure Black communities profit from the Black cosmetic industry.

The UK Black cosmetic industry is valued at an estimated £88 million, yet many popular high street stores catering to Black women are owned by South Asian communities. We cannot and will NOT tolerate violence against women, and we will not allow these businesses to continue extracting wealth from our communities. We call for a comprehensive boycott, ensuring these establishments go out of business.THEY NEED TO GO!

In conclusion, it’s essential for Black individuals to support Black-owned and local businesses, many of which can provide more positive shopping experiences than establishments where shop attendants may have racial biases against Black shoppers.

Here’s a list of Black-owned hair shops where you can find quality products and a welcoming shopping environment: