If you are a Black woman who carries a purse, be very careful shopping at this Citi Trends.
I have been a loyal customer at this location for YEARS. I shop here often for last-minute outfits, gifts, and everyday items. My sister and I had even shopped here the day before, paid for everything, and left without an issue.
Today, from the moment we walked in, I noticed employees watching us. I honestly thought nothing of it because I have shopped here so many times and felt comfortable in this store. I was literally dancing in the aisle, singing along to the music, trying on clothes, and shopping like I normally do.
I tried on a pair of light-brown shorts that were too big, showed my sister, and put them back. I later found a skirt that was also too big and continued looking for leggings or yoga pants. Employees were nearby and could clearly see us throughout the entire time.
While I was helping my sister decide on a skirt, police walked in. We paid them no attention because we had no reason to believe they were there for us. An officer then approached me and said we were being asked to leave because we were accused of stealing.
I immediately asked the officer to check my purse right there in the store. He did, and he found NOTHING belonging to Citi Trends.
While waiting by the entrance, I asked what I supposedly did. I spoke with employee Kourtney, who has personally checked me out and helped me in this store many times over the years. I asked what I supposedly took and told her she was free to have my purse checked.
She responded, “I’ll ask the officers to do that if I need them to.”
I told her the officer had already checked my purse and found nothing. Her response was, “Oh, I’m not stupid. I know what you came here to do. I know when people are stealing.” She later repeated, “I already know what you came to do.”
That statement is what upset me the most. What exactly did she decide I “came there to do” before anything had even happened?
Outside, I was told the allegation was that I supposedly bent down, put a clothing item into my purse, and then removed it before police approached me. I strongly dispute that accusation. Employees were near us and watching us the entire time, and when police entered they came toward us almost immediately. I do not understand when or how I supposedly removed this alleged item.
Again, the officer searched my purse and found no Citi Trends merchandise.
I asked to see the surveillance footage because I wanted to understand what they believed they saw. The officers told me they could not require the store to show it to me because they considered it a civil matter.
My sister said she felt we were being profiled, and one officer responded that there were other Black people in the store. The presence of other Black customers does not address how WE were treated.
I left humiliated, confused, angry, and extremely disappointed. After years of spending money here and recommending this store to friends and family, I was accused of theft, searched, removed, and banned despite no stolen merchandise being found on me.
I genuinely feel I was profiled. I strongly encourage Citi Trends corporate to review the surveillance footage and the way this situation was handled. I will also be pursuing the appropriate channels regarding what occurred.