Tesco apologises as customer claims she was ‘kicked out’

Alixe Galatis said she was stopped by a security guard at a Tesco store in Essex on June 26, while shopping with her three children.

She was wearing a black v-neck, backless, tie-up top on a day when temperatures hit 37C.

The 31-year-old said the security guard told her she could not enter the store because the top could be untied, leaving her “exposed”.

Tesco apologise to customer ‘kicked out for wearing tie-back top’ (Image: Kennedy News and Media)

Ms Galatis said: “It was just after the school run, I think it peaked around 36, 37 (degrees) or something crazy. The clothes I was wearing I had been in all day, I’d been in other shops and there wasn’t an issue until I walked into Tesco, I was with my kids as well.”

She said the security guard stood behind her as her children collected a shopping scanner.

Ms Galatis said: “When I turned around he said ‘you’re not allowed in here.’ I said ‘why not?’ He said ‘you can’t come in here wearing that top because it’s got a tie-up at the back’.

“I was just really confused and the kids were a bit stunned. I don’t know why but he wouldn’t give me any eye contact and I think because I wasn’t moving he carried on and said ‘someone can untie your top’, so basically just leave me exposed. Again, I looked at him so confused because that’s something that I’ve never even thought of.”

She said she asked if she could buy a new top, but the guard allegedly replied “no, you’re not allowed in at all”.

Ms Galatis retrieved a gym jumper from her car, draped it over her back and shoulders, and was then allowed to enter the store.

She said: “It was so hot and I was thinking ‘I can’t physically put this on, so I put it over my shoulders so it was covering my shoulders and my back. We did our shop, I had the jumper around me, and then on the way out he was watching me walk out. He was looking at me with such disdain and just shaking his head at me.”

Tesco has apologised for the incident and acknowledged that it should not have happened.

A spokesman for the supermarket said: “We are really sorry to hear about this experience. We want everyone to feel welcome in our stores and this should not have happened.”

Ms Galatis said the experience has affected not just her but also her children, particularly her nine-year-old daughter who is now more aware of what her mother wears in public.

She said: “She now thinks that that top is not appropriate to be worn in Tesco because of what this man was saying. They’re at a young age where they are very impressionable. Sometimes I pop into Tesco wearing gym gear and no one’s ever stopped me. It was just so bizarre that it was this top and that he said ‘someone can untie it and leave you exposed’. Should you not be more worried about those who are untying people’s clothing rather than stopping the person who is dressed?”

The incident has made her reconsider where she shops during hot weather.

Ms Galatis said: “I will definitely be avoiding Tesco if it comes to another heatwave because I have quite a few tops or dresses that are a halter neck style, so your back is out. I honestly don’t believe my daughter would like me going to Tesco wearing something like that again because of what happened.”

A Tesco spokesperson confirmed the company will contact Ms Galatis directly to address the incident.