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The clicks will remove and remove all TRESemmé products from the shelf with immediate effect and replace the gap with locally sourced hair care brands.
Sharon Seretlo, Gallo Images
- Clicks has removed the TRESemmé brand from its shelves and is committed to expanding its range of local hair products.
- This follows protests across the country over an offensive ad that described black women’s hair as damaged and dull.
- Clicks has also suspended all employees involved in the advertising campaign and has accepted the resignation of a senior executive.
Retail group Clicks said Tuesday it would phase out the TRESemmé brand, expand its range of local hair care products, and work with the government to develop the local beauty market.
It has also suspended all employees involved in the publicity campaign that angered the EFF and sparked nationwide protests on Monday.
READ | Click protests continue in Pretoria
On Monday, the EFF targeted Clicks stores across the country to protest the hair ad that described the hair of the two black women as “dry and damaged” and “frizzy and dull,” but the hair of two women white as “fine and flat”. and “normal”.
Clicks said that 425 stores in the country had been affected by the protests, but that it was too early to assess the nature of the damage caused by the vandalism. Some shops were burned.
Clicks’ controversial ad is blatantly racist and the company deserves sanction. But the behavior of the EFF exposes a party with nothing to offer but violence and intimidation, he writes @PieterDuToit https://t.co/LR4aGGyWT5
– News24 (@ Noticias24) September 8, 2020
On Tuesday, the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg granted an injunction, preventing the EFF from intimidating Clicks staff or clients, but said peaceful protests could continue.
Suspended employees
In a statement Tuesday, Clicks CEO Vikesh Ramsunder said all employees responsible for posting the offending ad had been suspended.
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“Clicks has also accepted the resignation of the responsible senior executive. Clicks is implementing a series of proactive measures to drive diversity and inclusion, while helping to develop and expand the local beauty market, in partnership with the government.”
Ramsunder said all suspended employees would go through a fair and impartial disciplinary hearing, overseen by an outside and independent chairman.
The EFF or its supporters cannot intimidate or threaten Clicks employees who work in its stores or in any of its operations; intimidate and threaten Clicks customers, or incite violence against Clicks’ regular business operations | @BraGrobbies https://t.co/tPklgW2bhg
– News24 (@ Noticias24) September 8, 2020
He added that Clicks would delist and remove all TRESemmé products from its shelves with immediate effect and replace them with locally sourced hair care brands of which Clicks “already has a wide range.”
Significant
In addition, Clicks will collaborate with all providers to enforce their ethical code of conduct. In addition, Clicks has been involved in extensive discussions with the Departments of Labor and Commerce and Industry over the past few days and will work closely with them to help develop the local beauty market in South Africa.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Click ads for hair: enough is enough
“We recognize that this event has had a significant impact on our people and our customers and we have made the decision to close our stores for one day on Wednesday, September 9. We will take this opportunity to interact directly with all our store personnel throughout the county, to provide advice and support We will be supported by the ICAS Employee Health and Wellness Program.
“We are prioritizing our diversity and inclusion training program for our head office staff. We will review its content, expand and implement it with more urgency and focus. We are working with the [police] to ensure the safety of our staff, customers and members of the public, and to thank them for continuing to shop with us, “said Ramsunder.
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