A 31-year-old mother of three has accused a Tesco supermarket of refusing her entry because of the backless top she was wearing during a heatwave, prompting an apology from the retailer.
Alix Galatis said the incident occurred on 26 June at a Tesco store in Essex, where temperatures had reached 37°C.
According to Galatis, a security guard stopped her from entering the supermarket, claiming her backless blouse was inappropriate because “someone could untie it.”
“I asked him, ‘Why not?’ and he said, ‘You can’t come in here wearing that top because it ties at the back,’” she recalled. “I was really confused, and my children were stunned.”
Galatis said she suggested going inside to buy a shirt, but claimed the security guard refused to let her enter the store under any circumstances.
The mother of three said she eventually returned to her car and retrieved a long-sleeved shirt, which she draped over her shoulders to cover her back before being allowed into the supermarket.
“It was so hot, and I thought, ‘I can’t wear this.’ So I just threw it over my shoulders to cover my back,” she said.
After finishing her shopping, Galatis claimed the security guard continued watching her as she left the store.
“He was looking at me with such disdain and just shaking his head. I was completely shocked,” she said.
Formal complaint lodged
Galatis has since lodged a formal complaint with Tesco and says she does not intend to shop at the store again.
Questioning the reasoning behind the decision, she said:
“Shouldn’t you be more worried about people trying to take someone’s clothes off than stopping the person who is actually dressed?”
Tesco apologises
A Tesco spokesperson apologised for the incident, acknowledging that the customer should not have been treated in that manner.
“We are really sorry to hear about this experience. We want everyone to feel welcome in our stores, and this should not have happened,” the spokesperson said.
The supermarket has not indicated whether any further action will be taken following the complaint.