Monoprix homeless poster sparks fury

Sign urges shoppers at a store in Reims not to give money to homeless people who congregate outside

A POSTER urging shoppers at a Monoprix store in Reims not to give money to homeless people “for safety reasons” has prompted outrage.

The poster, which was apparently signed by the store’s management, asked its customers to “support” the store in its attempt to fight “against a worrying level of theft caused largely by homeless people” who congregate nearby.

It urged people to “avoid giving money and / or do any shopping”, and added: “What we are asking is not easy but necessary.”

France 3 Champagne Ardenne said that the poster was put up on Tuesday, but had been taken down again on Wednesday following a furious response on social media.

One Twitter user said: “It is indeed disgusting, but it also means that they want to destroy any act of solidarity and humanity.”

Bosses at Monoprix’s head office told Metronews that they had ordered the sign be taken down as soon as they heard about it.

“We do not endorse this message and we share the indignation of our customers,” Monoprix said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the manager of the store in question said that he was not responsible for the poster and he was determined to find out if his staff were involved.

Photo: Twitter