The Macy’s store at Herald Square in Manhattan

Source: BBC

Macy’s is to pay $650,000 (£390,000) to settle claims it racially profiled and detained ethnic minority shoppers at its flagship Manhattan shop.

Under a deal with New York’s attorney-general Macy’s agreed to a series of changes at its 42 stores across the state.

Staff at Macy’s, one of US retailing’s big names, were said to have targeted shoppers because of their colour.

US actor Rob Brown was among customers suspected of theft or fraud.

Some complaints against Macy’s were from customers who, despite not concealing goods, were detained after moving between floors at the Manhattan store.

Other customers who spoke poor English, and were suspected of shoplifting or credit card fraud, were not allowed to make phone calls or have an interpreter, and were required to sign documents that they could not understand.

Last month, Mr Brown, who appeared in the HBO drama Treme, settled with Macy’s and the New York Police Department over claims he was accused of credit card fraud because he was black.

Continue reading the main story in BBC

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