A shopper in the United Kingdom was denied entry to a supermarket and later asked to cover up due to her backless top during a severe heat wave. Alixe Galatis, 31, recounted her experience on June 26, when temperatures in the UK reached approximately 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius).
Galatis stated she was stopped by a male security guard at a Tesco store in Essex shortly after the school run. According to Galatis, the guard informed her she could not enter the store wearing the backless top, which had thin straps tied at the back. The guard explained that the attire was not permitted because "someone can untie your top," suggesting she could be left exposed.
Confused by the guard's reasoning, Galatis asked if she could purchase a top to wear, but she was reportedly told she could not enter the store at all. She then retrieved a gym sweatshirt from her car and draped it over her shoulders to cover her back before completing her shopping. She noted that despite the sweltering heat, she felt compelled to wear the extra layer.
Galatis reported feeling shocked by the encounter and questioned why she was singled out. "Should you not be more worried about those who are untying people’s clothing rather than stopping the person who is dressed?" she asked.
Following the incident, Galatis filed a complaint with Tesco. A spokesperson for the supermarket chain issued an apology, stating, "We are really sorry to hear about this experience. We want everyone to feel welcome in our stores and this should not have happened."
The incident occurred during a period of intense heat across Europe, which saw record-breaking temperatures and led to thousands of excess deaths. The heat wave also caused disruptions in other parts of the continent, including France, where shoppers reportedly clashed over air conditioning units and fans in stores.