UK retailer M&S apologises after Muslim worker refused to sell alcohol

By Belinda Goldsmith

LONDON, Dec 23 (Reuters) - British retailer Marks andSpencer apologised on Monday to customers angered aftera Muslim checkout worker refused to sell champagne for religiousreasons.

Thousands of customers threatened to boycott M&S, Britain'sbiggest clothing retailer that also sells food, after a tillworker in a London store asked a customer to wait as she wouldnot handle champagne and called for another staff member.

Following a storm of protests on social media, M&Sapologised for the "confusion", saying it was not M&S's policyto allow checkout staff to refuse to serve customers buyingitems like alcohol and pork which are forbidden in Islam.

A spokeswoman said the company's policy for many years hadbeen to try to accommodate staff of all religions by findingthem roles where conflicts would not arise.

"On this occasion this person's preferences were not takeninto account and she ended up on the tills, which was amistake," the spokeswoman said. "We would like to apologise forany resulting confusion and reassure our customers that this wasan isolated incident."

Despite the apology, angry customers vented on M&S'sFacebook page, some calling on people to boycott the retailerand questioning whether other religions would get such leeway.

"Will you allow staff with Christian belief to stop workingSundays," asked Richard Woodward.

"Do Hindu or Sikh staff complain they can't serve beef andhave you given Jewish staff the right not to sell pig meat??....you wont get me shopping there any more and I hope otherpeople feel likewise," said John Mcglade.

RELIGIOUS DEMANDS

The row followed as similar one involving Britishuniversities. Some were accused earlier this month of caving into rising religious demands after issuing guidance approvingseparate seating for men and women at events if requested by anexternal religious speaker.

The universities were forced to withdraw the guidance afterbeing blasted by students and Prime Minister David Cameron whosegovernment is considering how to better integrate Britain's 2.7million Muslims without restricting their right to freedom ofreligious expression.

Different approaches are taken by Britain's four majorsupermarket owners over whether staff should be excused fromcertain jobs due to their religion.

Sainsbury's said staff on tills or restocking would be asked to handle alcohol and meat although it workedwith "individuals to ensure we are inclusive and fair" whileWal-Mart Store Inc's Asda had one policy for all.

Morrison said it respected staff's wishes not tohandle certain products at any time of year while Tesco said it had no definitive policy but handled cases on merit.

The protests came at a potentially difficult time for M&Swhich last weekend cut prices by 30 percent in order to draw inreluctant Christmas shoppers.

Chief Executive Marc Bolland is under pressure to boostsales after nine straight quarters of declining underlyingclothing sales, although the food business has traded well.