Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Is this racist?

35 replies

OhDino · 02/04/2021 10:30

So local supermarket has multiple products in security tags / boxes. Large chain supermarket. According to the facebook thread I am reading it includes some alcohol, steak, salmon, ketchup, beauty products, razors and...

Ackee.

The entire thread is about it being racist to have a security tag on the Ackee (6 pounds, so more expensive than the salmon or some of the hair products).

Hair products with tags on are multicultural - some more for afro styles, some not.

Is having a security tag on the Ackee racist?

OP posts:
Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum · 02/04/2021 10:35

If it gets stolen more than other products not tagged then no not racist

If it gets stolen less or the same amount
as other products not tagged then racist

You would have to see the store shrink numbers to know that answer

dementedpixie · 02/04/2021 10:37

Not if its a product that gets stolen a lot

bonfireheart · 02/04/2021 10:37

Yep what is tagged should be based on what is shoplifted the most.

EvilOnion · 02/04/2021 10:39

No.

The only people this discriminates against are shoplifters.

DrDetriment · 02/04/2021 10:40

Of course it isn't racist. They tag the things that are pinched the most, especially if it's more expensive. Some people really do just want to see racism everywhere.

TheresAnEyeInMeSoup · 02/04/2021 10:40

Wtf???

Original poster
OhDino · 02/04/2021 10:41

Ok, thanks. I'm not trying to be goady by the way it's just the thread has challenged my perception on this.

If a black person says it's racist, would that change your answers?

There is a mixed-race person on the thread calling them out but they are getting a lot of flack for doing so.

The store have said that it's based on occurrences of thefts for items and not due to it being a product that is used predominantly by black people.

OP posts:
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 02/04/2021 10:43

No. Its more expensive and gets stolen more than other products its not. I hate accusations like this.

Hotcuppatea · 02/04/2021 10:43

@EvilOnion

No.

The only people this discriminates against are shoplifters.

Agreed.
VladmirsPoutine · 02/04/2021 10:44

I can't believe how expensive they've priced it.

bonfireheart · 02/04/2021 10:45

We bought a hairbrush yesterday with a security tag. And my DD12 was like mummy why it girls stuff like hair Brushes and make up only has tagged. Then I showed her other stuff in the store, like the gadgets, kitchen stuff and even a blender that had tags on it. Stuff that is expensive or stuff that is easy to steal.

Original poster
OhDino · 02/04/2021 10:47

I am not enjoying the accusations either, and I am glad it's a big chain store as there's now a full on boycott proposed. It could kill of a little store in times like this.

I think my thoughts are in line with what is posted here, and the people who are questioning it on the thread. They are getting absolutely hounded though.

OP posts:
bonfireheart · 02/04/2021 10:50

Boycott Hmm

Original poster
OhDino · 02/04/2021 10:52

Yeah, boycott.

I feel like i am living on another planet.

OP posts:
GrumpyHoonMain · 02/04/2021 10:55

It is racist because I guarantee you Avocados or Coconut Oil or certain Indian ethnic products (eg some hair oils or food products) which are more expensive get stolen more. But because security aren’t generally following non-Black people most of the time they don’t even realise.

Original poster
OhDino · 02/04/2021 10:58

An Avocado is not six pounds.

And stock theft isn't based on security following people - it's a calculation of number of products in store, versus number of products put through the till.

OP posts:
Original poster
OhDino · 02/04/2021 11:00

Completely agree with your point about black people being more likely to be followed though - racist.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 02/04/2021 11:04

www.google.com/amp/s/www.thesun.co.uk/news/4076754/sainsburys-supermarket-racist-ackee-tin-security-box/amp/

This is from a few years ago but same product. Seems to be much more expensive now though

Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum · 02/04/2021 11:04

It doesn't automatically mean black people are stealing that item too. It would have a reasonable resale value. So that is one of the reasons it is stolen. People stealing to sell do so for maximum profit not for personal use.

MissyB1 · 02/04/2021 11:05

I doubt very much that Avocados are high on the list for most shoplifters Grin

DGRossetti · 02/04/2021 11:08

(missing point, possibly)

There was a discussion on "No Such Thing as a Fish" about popular shoplifted items. Cheese and meat also being high value and easy to stash.

SunIsComing · 02/04/2021 11:16

They will tag stuff that gets stolen the most.....

Original poster
OhDino · 02/04/2021 11:17

I have read that about cheese and meat - it's apparently such a thing that stores place those aisles in harder to reach places, ie. not just by the door.

And, yes, I agree about the resale value. TBH I have brought Ackee for much cheaper just a few shops away from the supermarket.

OP posts:
DGRossetti · 02/04/2021 11:22

@OhDino

I have read that about cheese and meat - it's apparently such a thing that stores place those aisles in harder to reach places, ie. not just by the door.

And, yes, I agree about the resale value. TBH I have brought Ackee for much cheaper just a few shops away from the supermarket.

Also some meats have security tags in them. Certainly I've been stopped coming out of ASDA because a pack of steak had a tag underneath.

If you really want the maximum value for minimum volume, printer ink is probably a good steal.

JanewaysBun · 02/04/2021 12:24

Tinned salmon has tags on
I suppose it's relatively small and one of the pricier tins so good resale value