Sephora to close all 400 of its US stores on June 5th for day of 'inclusion workshops' after singer SZA 'was racially profiled' trying to buy Rihanna's Fenty makeup in California
Sephora says it will close all its US stores on the morning of June 5 to host 'inclusion workshops' for its employees.
As well as over 400 stores, distribution centers and corporate offices in the US will also shut down. The brand has about 706 locations in the US including 386 boutiques in J.C. Penney stores.
The move comes just over a month after the cosmetics company caught the internet's eye, when singer SZA said she had security called on her while shopping at a California store.
Sephora posted notice of the closures on its Facebook page and elsewhere, asking fans of the beauty store to join them in their commitment to a more inclusive beauty community.
Sephora will close all US stores on June 5 morning to host 'inclusion workshops' after an incident at the 614 Calabasas store
In April SZA had security called on her while shopping at the California Sephora branch
Sephora distribution centers and corporate offices in America will also shut down this week
It also included a link to its We Belong to Something Beautiful campaign, which says, 'We will never stop building a community where diversity is expected, self-expression is honored, all are welcomed, and you are included.'
The French brand that hosts over 300 names in beauty added: 'These values have always been at the heart of Sephora, and we’re excited to welcome everyone when we reopen.'
On April 30, SZA - real name Solána Imani Rowe - tweeted that a Sephora employee called security to make sure she wasn't stealing.
She posted on Twitter: 'Lmao Sandy Sephora location 614 Calabasas called security to make sure I wasn’t stealing,' the 28-year-old singer wrote on Twitter, later adding 'Can a b***h cop her fenty in peace er whut.'
SZA used to work for the multibrand store and mentions Sephora on her song Anything Outro (Snippet).
She makes reference to not being able to afford items sold there - which include beautyblender sponges - and says the employer let her go from her job.
'You too concerned with what you might see in the mirror/You've been on time
'Beauty blender/F**k Sephora/I love Sephora
'Just cannot afford the things up in there/I used to work there/The only job I never got fired from.'
She said she was trying to buy Rihanna's Fenty beauty line when she was seemingly profiled
Sephora posted last week 'self-expression is honored, all are welcomed, and included'
Rihanna responded by giving her a gift card for the beauty products. Sephora said it'll 'never stop building a community where diversity is expected'
But when a fan asked her about whether there was a link to the song and her claims, she hinted it was simply coincidental.
'LMAO THE IRONY,' she replied.
SZA received a message of support and a Fenty gift card from the owner of the company she was trying to support, fellow singer Rihanna.
'Go buy yo Fenty Beauty in peace sis! One love — Rihanna,' the note read.
Sephora responded with an apologetic tweet, saying it takes such complaints seriously.
Sephora replied to the tweet, writing, 'You are a part of the Sephora family, and we are committed to ensuring every member of our community feels welcome and included at our stores.'
The training seemingly follows in the footsteps of Starbucks which closed 8,000 stores for anti-bias training last May.
It was after a Philadelphia store came under fire for calling the police on two black men who didn't buy anything.
Nike and Papa John's have made similar moves.
SZA hinted her song about Sephora was simply coincidental, writing: 'LMAO THE IRONY'
One tweeter showed little sympathy for SZA after she used her platform to shame Sephora
One woman said that SZA's experience is not representative of the brand she works for
But after learning about the news Sunday some consumers were not happy.
'Ooooohhh. I didn’t like the way the Sephora employee spoke to me. Let me make it into a big deal where I can play the victim. Silly nonsense. SMH,' one tweet wrote.
Another said it would simply make people dislike SZA or African Americans in general.
The person tweeted: 'Sephora temporarily closing tomorrow for their diversity and inclusion training and hella bitches gon be mad at Sza/ black people instead of racial profiling and prejudice. Smh.'
Many were very understanding of the matter however.
'Thank God for SZA. I love what sephora provides but if I had a dollar for every time I was followed or questioned I would buy them out!' one person posted.
Another said it could be an age thing: 'Let me say. I read where SZA was mistreated. I have been in there a few times with diff sales staff, all RUDE! I'm over 50 and I was treated terribly. Their focus is young people.'
Another agreed that it happens all the time and said it's a 'shame' SZA was bothered
One woman claimed the Sephora employees needed training in other areas too
A tweeter said she believes Sephora is not kind to their older customers as well
One DailyMail.com reader demanded to see the security footage from SZA's encounter
A tweeter said she gets hassled by suspicious staff every time she goes into the store
One social media user said the closure would make everyone hate SZA and black people
Sephora to close all 400 of its US stores on June 5th for day of 'inclusion workshops' after singer SZA 'was racially profiled' trying to buy Rihanna's Fenty makeup in California
![Sephora to close all 400 of its US stores on June 5th for day of 'inclusion workshops' after singer SZA 'was racially profiled' trying to buy Rihanna's Fenty makeup in California]()
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