A recent undercover investigation by The Blue Brick uncovered rampant and blatant discrimination at “Big and Tall” stores across the Midwest. Posing as shoppers, we sent staffers to seven “Big and Tall” stores in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. The results were shocking and disturbing, as the shorter and thinner members of our staff were virtually ignored in every store that we visited.
Stephen Williams and Andrew Hyatt were sent by The Blue Brick, armed with undercover cameras and tape recorders, to seven independent “Big and Tall” stores. Williams is 5’ 10”, and weighs 165 pounds. Hyatt stands 6’ 4” tall, and tips the scales at a hefty 295. They entered each store within thirty seconds of each other, with the svelte Williams going in first.
In each instance, store employees did not approach Williams, even when he was the only shopper in the store. When the plump Hyatt entered, however, he was greeted and offered assistance within minutes of walking into each store in our investigation. One sales clerk at “Richard’s Big and Tall” even offered Hyatt a danish pastry after showing him the stores new line of elastic-waisted dress pants.
We showed the hidden camera videotapes to Richard McEvoy, owner of “Richard’s Big and Tall” in Cleveland, Ohio. McEvoy, the only merchant willing to speak with The Blue Brick regarding this investigation, defended his staff’s actions, to a point.
“Our salespeople work largely on commission, and most likely, they saw a higher potential in selling to the heavier man”, he said. McEvoy, who weighs 310 pounds, was also quick to point out that retail stores of all types target customers in the same way, even though it is not official store policy. “You think a sales clerk in Banana Republic would approach me? Think again.”
Still, McEvoy was upset that Williams was not approached at all when visiting his store, especially when he was the only shopper. “I would have liked to have seen (a sales clerk) at least say ‘hello’, maybe ask him if he was lost or something.”
Since thin people are rarely discriminated against, legal action against the stores is not likely. But at least one “Big and Tall” store will be changing its training procedures for sales clerks. “I want to be sure that all my salespeople approach everyone, even skinny and short folks. I mean, you never know, the guy might have a chunky girlfriend, or a tall cousin, that he is shopping for”, said McEvoy. |
