Tesco to sell plasters in racially diverse skin tones

Monitoring Desk

LONDON: The UK’s biggest retailer, Tesco, is stocking plasters in a variety of skin tones as it tries to give a better reflection of racial diversity.

It said the plasters, which come in light, medium and dark shades, would “better represent the nation”.

The retailer said they were developed in response to an emotional tweet from a US man, who used a plaster matching his skin tone for the first time.

Tesco said it was the first UK supermarket to make such a move.

People welcomed the news on Twitter, although some questioned why it had taken so long.

Campaigner Sajda Mughal tweeted: “This is like that feeling as a WOC (woman of colour) growing up not being able to find the right tone of foundation apart from pink!!!… And finally somebody introduces it!!!”

Nicola Robinson, Tesco’s health, beauty and wellness director, said: “As one of the largest retailers in the UK, we understand that we have a responsibility to ensure our products reflect the diversity of our customers and colleagues

“We believe the launch of our new skin tone plaster range is an important step and a move that we hope will be replicated by other retailers and supermarkets across the country.” The supermarket giant developed the plasters after a tweet from Dominique Apollon, of US racial equality advocacy group Race Forward, went viral.

Mr Apollon said he was overwhelmed after using a plaster matching his skin tone for the first time, and “holding back tears”. It prompted more than 100,000 retweets and comments. (BBC)