EFF officials to be deployed to provinces for the closure of Clicks stores
JOBURG – Clicks said they will trade as normal despite EFF threats to shut down 800 Clicks outlets across the country.
Update: 12.11am, 7 September
Clicks CEO, Vikesh Ramsunder has released an open letter to the public on 7 September following a controversial advertisement.
“As group CEO of Clicks, I am deeply disappointed that we allowed insensitive offensive images to be published on our website. I apologise unreservedly for the hurt and anger these images have caused,” said Ramsunder.
The company appealed to all stakeholders to engage with them so that they can redress actions to demonstrate their commitment to diversity and inclusion. “We will take the necessary precautionary steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our customers and employees. This includes dealing with the threat of the disruption of our business activities and intimidation of our customers and employees,” Ramsunder concluded.
Initial story: 9.38am, 7 September
The Economic Freedom Fighters have threatened to shut down more than 800 Clicks stores across the country on 7 September.
This follows after a controversial hair advertisement was posted on the health and beauty retailer’s website on 5 September. Social media went into a frenzy, claiming that the retailer was racist as the advert described black hair as damaged and dry and white hair as normal.
Gatherings have started at Sandton City in Johannesburg, Mall of Africa in Midrand.
https://twitter.com/pelomasebe/status/1301666670864457730?s=20
Both Clicks and TRESemmé have issued apology statements on 5 September. “We are very sorry that the images used in a TRESemmé South Africa marketing campaign on the Clicks website promote racist stereotype about hair,” said TRESemmé. “The campaign set out to celebrate the beauty of all hair types and the range of solutions that TRESemmé offers.”
Clicks have thanked TRESemmé for taking accountability and have further apologised to the public by issuing a statement on their website.
Despite the apologies issued, the EFF has threatened to shut down Clicks stores. They have planned to deploy its officials to six Clicks outlets across the country. The outlets are in the Mall of the North in Polokwane, Sandton City in Johannesburg, Mall of Africa in Midrand, Highveld Mall in Emalahleni, Goodwood Shopping Centre in Cape Town and Menlyn Mall in Tshwane.
Press Alert: EFF Officials led by the CiC @Julius_S_Malema Will lead the SHUTDOWN of all the @Clicks_SA at various Clicks outlets as follows: pic.twitter.com/yZ7f4WJ6L0
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 6, 2020
However, Clicks said they will operate as normal despite this.
Clicks Trading Monday 07 September 2020 pic.twitter.com/XA453poHU6
— Clicks (@Clicks_SA) September 6, 2020
This is a developing story, more updates to follow.
