TE
Takia El-trablsi
3 days ago
Extremely disappointing experience — rude staff, unprofessional service, and what genuinely felt like discrimination.
I went to the ALO store at Royalmount today with my sister, and the way we were treated was shocking.
An employee approached us asking if we needed help. I told her I was looking for a thin workout shirt. She showed me one on the mannequin at the front of the store. It was a short shirt, but I actually liked it and told her if I can see it inside the store (so I can see it properly and try it). She told me everything was in the back-stock and that she’d bring it out. I told her OK, I wanted to try it in M and L.
While waiting, I simply asked if they also had a longer version I could see. Instead of just checking, her response was:
“Oh no, we don’t. At ALO we follow the trend and short shirts are what’s trendy.”
As a visibly hijabi woman, the comment felt unnecessary and a little insensitive. I wasn’t asking about “trends,” I was just asking if a longer option existed.
Still, I stayed polite and said I wanted to try the short shirt anyway.
Then we waited.
And waited.
Over 40 minutes.
Every time we asked for an update, her answers kept changing:
First: “We only have olive green.”
Then: “I am waiting for the staff to bring it.”
Then: “Actually, we do have the colour you want.”
The store was not busy at all, so there was no reason for this kind of back-and-forth or delay.
While we were waiting, my sister asked about a pair of shoes. The employee told her it is $200, then added, in a strange tone, “but you can feel good and try them, it is free.” It came off sarcastic and disrespectful, as if she was implying something. My sister felt uncomfortable right away.
After being ignored for so long, I went to the fitting rooms myself thinking maybe they placed the items inside. I spoke to another woman (who seemed like the manager). She looked confused, then suddenly said, “Oh, the back-stock shirt? We only have S,” without checking, without apologizing, without even making eye contact. Then she walked away immediately.
No “sorry.”
No explanation.
Nothing.
At that point, we just left the store completely shocked.
We have never been treated like this anywhere else.
As visibly Muslim women, it was impossible not to notice how dismissive, inconsistent, and cold the staff were with us compared to other customers.
Whether it was racism, bias, or simply assuming we weren’t going to buy anything, the message was clear: we were not treated like customers.
I came in ready to buy. Instead, I was made to wait for no reason, contradicted multiple times, and spoken to with attitude or a fake smile. This behaviour is unacceptable for a brand like ALO, and I sincerely hope management takes this seriously.