Sephora has taken a bold step to confront an issue that plagues the industry: racial bias. The beauty giant’s groundbreaking Racial Bias in Retail Study has shed light on the uncomfortable reality that Black and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) shoppers face discrimination at significantly higher rates than their white counterparts. 

Sephora’s research in January 2021 revealed that Black retail shoppers are 2.5 times more likely to receive unfair treatment based on their skin color compared to white shoppers. Similarly, BIPOC shoppers are twice as likely to experience bias due to their ethnicity. These findings are more than numbers—they represent real experiences of individuals who have felt marginalized while simply trying to engage in the universal act of shopping.

Recognizing the gravity of these findings, Sephora has implemented a zero-tolerance policy towards profiling, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation by employees. This policy is backed by immediate termination to ensure…