Zara Racially Profiles its Customers, Report Finds

It’s been just three weeks since several current and former Zara executives hit the Spanish retail giant with a $40 million discrimination lawsuit, and a new report suggests that Zara's discriminatory behavior may carry over to its stores.

Between February and April, the Center for Popular Democracy surveyed 251 Zara employees in New York, releasing the findings in a 12-page report on Monday. The report details a loss prevention practice used in Zara's stores: If a “suspicious” shopper (i.e. one that appeared likely to steal) was identified walking into the store, he or she would be labeled a “special order.” An employee or manager would then be asked to follow that customer. Midway through CPD's surveying process, the store reportedly switched to using the code “customer service,” rather than “special order.”