Barneys CEO Mark Lee publicly apologized to two black shoppers – but insisted “no one” at the luxe retailer racially profiled the pair.
“No one, and I mean no individual, should go through the unacceptable experiences described by Trayon Christian and Kayla Phillips,” Lee said Tuesday after an hour-long sitdown with the Rev. Al Sharpton at the Harlem headquarters of his National Action Network. “We offer our deepest sympathies to both of them.”
Sharpton and his National Action Network demanded a face-to-face with Barneys brass– and threatened to put shopping at the high-end retailer “on hold” — after Christian and Phillips accused Barneys of sending cops to question and detain them after they made big-ticket buys at the Manhattan flagship.
Christian, 19, said he was held in April after buying a $349 designer belt. Phillips, 21, said she was accused of credit card fraud in February after she bought a $2,500 handbag.
Lee said Tuesday his company has a “zero tolerance” discrimination policy and didn’t single out Phillips or Christian.
“Our preliminary investigation has concluded that, in both of these instances, no one from Barneys New York raised any issue with these purchases,” Lee said.
“No one from Barneys brought them to the attention of our internal security, and no one from Barneys reached out to external authorities.”
Asked if he was blaming the NYPD for the alleged profiling, Lee said, “I can only speak to what we know from the preliminary investigation.”
“Racial profiling is an extremely serious form of discrimination. We take it very seriously, and if we found that to be factually true we would terminate those individuals,” he said.
“That’s not the policy at Barneys.”
Sharpton also singled out the NYPD in blasting the alleged “shop and frisk” policy.
“If, in fact, NYPD takes it upon themselves to profile, that needs to be dealt with by retailers,” he said.
“If, in fact, there were rogue members in these department stores that have some collusion with members of NYPD that is not known to the heads of these companies, that ought to be dealt with by retailers.”
Barneys’ Lee also apologized to music mogul Jay-Z, who is slated to launch a clothing line with the retailer in November, and has charity dealings with the store.
“We deeply regret that these recent events have distracted from the great work of the Sean Carter Foundation, and we offer our sincere apologies to Mister Carter.” Lee said.
“Our collaboration together is based on the shared mission of helping individuals facing socio-economic hardships.”
Jay Z on Saturday released a statement saying he “isn’t making a dime” off his Barneys partnership.”
“I’m prepared to stand with the Rev. Sharpton and the leaders to effect real change and bring other retailers into the fold,” Lee continued.
“Moving forward there is a broader issue that needs to be addressed and Barneys New York is committed to be part of the solution.”
Lee said he is aware that state Attorney General is investigating claims of profiling at Macy’s after two men – including HBO actor Rob Brown – claimed the venerable New York store singled them out for questioning about purchases because they are black.
“We’re going to cooperate fully,” Lee said of the AG’s probe.