S.Africa`s Dis-chem joins list of retailers removing TRESemmé products from shelves

Published: 2020-09-10 tag: retail drugs

JSE:SHP JSE:CLS JSE:WHL JSE:DCP JSE:SPP JSE:SPG

JOHANNESBURG, Sept 10 (Reuters) - South Africa’s Dis-Chem Pharmacies has joined a growing list of retailers removing TRESemmé products, a Unilever Plc brand, from their shelves after a hair advertisement was accused of being racist.

Dis-chem confirmed the news on Twitter on Thursday, making it the fifth store to stop the sale of the products after the advert by TRESemmé showed an image of African black hair which it described as “frizzy and dull,” while an example of white hair was referred to as “normal.”

The advert was posted on rival Clicks Group’s website on Friday. Clicks removed the advert and apologised, as did TRESemmé South Africa.

Unilever South Africa was not immediately available for comment.

On Wednesday grocer Pick n Pay said it had removed TRESemmé products from its shelves while it engages with the supplier. Shoprite’s Checkers supermarket chain and Woolworths Holdings, which said it does not support “the racial biases expressed in the TRESemmé campaign”, also removed the products.

The advert caused an outcry on social media and sparked protests led by hard-left opposition party the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which demanded that Clicks stores be shut for at least a week. Clicks stores were closed on Wednesday but reopened on Thursday.

The amount of TRESemmé revenue at risk is quite small: Euromonitor reckons the brand has a 1.7% market share in the Middle East and Africa, implying around $100 million of 2019 annual sales out of Unilever’s $60 billion.

Yet the bigger worry is that the scandal affects Unilever’s broader haircare business, which represents 12% of the total, or that its reputation in the African market suffers. (Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

Enhanced Investments, Inc.
329 South Oyster Bay Road #2085
Plainview, NY 11803
team@eninvs.com

Important disclosures

Performance results were prepared by Enhanced Investments, and have not been compiled, reviewed or audited by an independent accountant. Performance estimates are subject to future adjustment and revision. Investors should be aware that a loss of investment is possible. Account holdings are for illustrative purposes only and are not investment recommendations. Additional information, including (i) the calculation methodology; and (ii) a list showing the contribution of each holding to the portfolio’s performance during the time period will be provided upon request.
All statements made via social media sites sponsored or maintained by Enhanced Investments and its affiliates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a comprehensive description of Enhanced Investments' investment advisory services.
Certain investments are not suitable for all investors. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and applicable fees. The rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long term investments. Investment losses are possible, including the potential loss of all amounts invested. Information provided by Enhanced Investments is for informational and general educational purposes only and is not investment or financial advice.

Nothing on this website should be considered an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Any historical returns, expected returns [or probability projections] are hypothetical in nature and may not reflect actual future performance.
All the strategies assume investments in equity invstrumenta only and are more relevant for "agressive investment profile". Eastern European flagship strategy assumes using up to 20% leverage of total portfolio. GlobalCommodities and US Growth strategy currently assume no leverage.
Results for the Enhanced Investments strategies as compared to the performance of Illustrative Benchmarks is for informational purposes only. Our investment program does not mirror that of the Illustrative Benchmarks and the volatility may be materially different from the volatility of Illustrative Benchmarks. Reference or comparison to an Illustrative Benchmark does not imply that strategies of Enhanced Investments will be constructed in the same way as the Illustrative Benchmark or achieve returns, volatility, or other results similar to those of the Illustrative Benchmark. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index of 500 common stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation to represent U.S. equity performance.
Performance results were prepared by Enhanced Investments, and have not been compiled, reviewed or audited by an independent accountant. Performance estimates are subject to future adjustment and revision. Investors should be aware that a loss of investment is possible. Account holdings are for illustrative purposes only and are not investment recommendations. Additional information, including (i) the calculation methodology; and (ii) a list showing the contribution of each holding to the portfolio’s performance during the time period will be provided upon request.
All statements made via social media sites sponsored or maintained by Enhanced Investments and its affiliates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a comprehensive description of Enhanced Investments' investment advisory services.
Certain investments are not suitable for all investors. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and applicable fees. The rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long term investments. Investment losses are possible, including the potential loss of all amounts invested. Information provided by Enhanced Investments is for informational and general educational purposes only and is not investment or financial advice.