Walmart apologizes after racial slur used in product description
NEW YORK -- Walmart is apologizing after a racial slur was used in a product description by a third-party vendor on its website. The seller used the "n word" in reference to the color of a hair cap.
Walmart says it has removed the listing from its website and called it a "clear violation of our policy." It said it was "appalled that this third-party seller listed their item with this description on our online marketplace."
It says it is investigating the seller to find out how it happened.
Walmart has been trying hard to compete better with online leader Amazon, and now sells 50 million products on its site including those from third-party sellers. Though it has never shared the exact breakdown, Walmart.com has thousands of such vendors.
CBS San Francisco reports the validity of the seller has been called into question. The owner of Jagazi Naturals told the Daily News someone copied her brand and posted the product with the insulting description.
"Considering the fact that I'm a black woman from Nigeria, what really pains me is that I get these emails from other black people who are in pain because of that word," said Chizo Onuh, who is based in London.
The reaction on Twitter was also strong. Several celebrities took to the social network to call out Walmart on the language.
Meanwile, Walmart says it is investigating the seller to find out how it happened.
Walmart has been trying hard to compete better with online leader Amazon, and now sells 50 million products on its site including those from third-party sellers. Though it has never shared the exact breakdown, Walmart.com has thousands of such vendors.
