As Group CEO of Clicks, I am deeply disappointed that we allowed insensitive and offensive images to be published on our website. I apologise unreservedly for the hurt and anger these images have caused.

1. Open Letter fromClicks Group CEO, Vikesh Ramsunder
7 September 2020
As Group CEO of Clicks, I am deeply disappointed that we allowed insensitive
and offensiveimages to be published on our website. I apologise unreservedly
for the hurtand anger these images havecaused.
The emotive responses of our customers havebeen mirrored by our
employees and management teams. And, whilstthe images and content were
provided to us by our supplier Tresemme, this does not absolveus from blame.
This is why wetook accountability for this error of judgmentby issuing a public
apology and swiftly removing the offensivematerial from our website.
Over the past few days, I havereflected deeply on what it means to be a
proudly South African corporate citizen and have consulted widely with diverse
stakeholders to assistme in developing a comprehensiveresponseto make
amends for our error.
Already, the negligent employees have been suspended, and we have engaged
the supplier, who has now also issued an apology. This incident has highlighted
the need to audit all of our 3rd party (and our own) promotionalmaterial for
any implicit or explicit bias as well as the need for diversity and inclusivity
training for all of our head office employees. This will be urgently
implemented.
Over the past weekend, we have convened an extraordinary Board meeting to
agree our next steps. This includes prioritising our diversity and inclusion
training programme. We will be re-looking at its content, extend it wider and
implement with more urgency and focus.

2. Clicks offers productranges for all hair types, including building the naturalhair
market over the pastthree years to offer even more choice. We haveworked
with an extensive list of suppliers – more than 20 - to ensurethat we stock
more than 40 natural hair careranges in our stores.
As a company, wecannot change whathappened, but we arelearning from
this. We are committed to effecting real, systemic change across our business
that reflects our pride in being a truly South African company. Wehave done a
lot in terms of transformation. This issuehas clearly highlighted that we have a
lot moreto do.
We appeal to all stakeholders to engage with us so that we redress actions to
demonstrateour commitment to diversity and inclusion. We will take the
necessary precautionary steps to ensurethe safety and well-being of our
customers and our employees. This includes dealing with the threat of the
disruption of our business activities and intimidation of our customers and
employees.