Macy’s to Pay $650,000 to Resolve Bias Inquiry

After an 18-month investigation, Macy's has agreed to pay a $650,000 fine and hire an independent monitor to address complaints that minority shoppers faced heightened surveillance and, in some cases, wrongful detention at its flagship store in Midtown Manhattan. The investigation, conducted by the state attorney general's office, reviewed the internal "loss prevention" procedures employed by Macy's at its Herald Square store as well as allegations that black and Hispanic shoppers were unfairly targeted by security officials. The inquiry found that Macy's "detained African-Americans, Hispanics and other minorities for allegedly shoplifting at significantly higher rates relative to whites."