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image of Beyond the aisles: Exploring the narratives of Black millennial women shopping for hair care products among DEI initiatives

Abstract

This study explores the shopping experience of Black millennial women, particularly in purchasing hair products, and their perception of mainstream retailers’ commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Given the historical context of both blatant and subtle racism in retail spaces, these experiences can contribute to feelings of disempowerment. As major corporations have increasingly promoted DEI commitments, a critical gap remains in how marginalized groups, notably Black women, perceive and experience these efforts. By centring the narratives of professional Black millennial women, this study attempts to grasp the internal and external factors behind their shopping intentions and experiences, focusing on their shopping experience for hair products due to their unique and specialized significance in Black women’s lives. Using a phenomenological approach grounded in critical race theory and intersectionality, we discover how retailers’ DEI performances influence Black millennial women’s experiences in mainstream retail spaces.

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/content/journals/10.1386/fspc_00317_1
2025-04-30
2026-04-22

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