A Melbourne woman was left with a bad taste in her mouth – worse than that which undoubtedly came via the now infamous MasterChef mussels in a coconut/tomato broth – after the staff at her local Kookai store were found to be doing their bit to keep racism alive and well in Australia.
Serena Xiao was shopping at the brand’s Emporium Melbourne store when she overheard one staff member say to another “Keep an eye on those Asian girls,” pointing her way. Not to let their BS get in the way, she dropped $100 on Kookai clothes, before getting straight up accused of shoplifting – this time, as she was trying to leave the store.
Xiao then did what any sensible and internet savvy person (you) would do, and wrote a long post on Kookai’s FB outlining the incident:
This is my first time shopping at Kookai and it will be my last time. Never have I been so poorly treated in a store…
Posted by Serena Xiao on Tuesday, 19 May 2015
That may very well have been the end of it but, aside from amassing over 4,500 likes, it’s been a beacon for anyone who has ever found Kookai’s staff wanting. Turns out there are a growing number of people who believe they have treated negatively based on their race, whilst shopping at various stores.
“I had the security guard eyeing me the entire time and as I went to leave the store I let him check my bag however I’m pretty sure he isn’t allowed to PUT HIS HAND INSIDE MY BAD AND REMOVE MY JACKET?!” wrote Alyssa Ho, while Amy Zhu wrote that “most sales assistants don’t greet the “asian” (sic) looking customers and ignore you for most of the time.”
Whoever said “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” didn’t have Facebook and never dealt with a Category : 10 shitstorm.
For their part Kookai have said they’re trying to get in contact with the customer:
Customers are our number one priority at Kookai. We are looking into the complaint and have made several attempts to…
Posted by KOOKAÏ on Thursday, 21 May 2015
