Macy’s will pay $650,000 to resolve racial bias inquiry

by  

Ben Geier

Retailer has also agreed to more training of sales associates.

Macy’s has settled with the New York Attorney General’s office on charges of racial profiling, the retailer has announced.

Last year, a number of black customers accused the department store of racially profiling them in New York stores. Multiple customers said they were singled out and even detained after purchasing expensive merchandise, with the implication being that they were trying to shoplift. Macy’s  M 0.83%  also announced the settling of various lawsuits filed by these customers. According to a statement from the attorney general’s office, Macy’s will pay $650,000 as part of the settlement.

As part of the resolution, Macy’s has agreed to more training of sales associates and to “adopting an expanded role for our security monitor to help ensure that we have the right policies and procedures in place, and that we are constantly reviewing our compliance with them.”

Earlier this month, fellow New York retailer Barneys  BNNY -2.47%  announced a $525,000 settlement for its own racial profiling case, in addition to bringing on a racial profiling consultant for two years. That case caught more media attention than Macy’s because of the involvement of hip-hop mogul Jay-Z and a bit of mockery from The Daily Show.