Jacksonville Kohl’s employee accused of racial profiling after confronting Black shopper in viral video

A Kohl’s emoloyee in Jacksonville, FL is being accused of racial profiling after a viral TikTok video captured the white associate confronting and searching a Black shopper’s bag without consent in the store’s parking lot.

Kohl’s employee accused of racial profiling

The video shows a woman exiting the store with purchased items when a Kohl’s associate follows her outside. The employee begins questioning the shopper and rummaging through her shopping bag, demanding proof of purchase.

“You’re saying I need a receipt for what? Why are you checking my bag?” the shopper asks in the video. Shelby responds, “Ma’am, I just need the receipt.”

The shopper displays her receipt, which confirms payment for the pants and sweaters inside her bag. Despite this, the Kohl’s worker continues, claiming “There were sweaters, they said,” in reference to suspicions raised by others inside the store.

“I paid them for the sweaters! I paid her! Do you see the sweaters on there?” the shopper replies.

The video ends with the shopper asking for the employee’s name. The worker dismisses her and walks away, saying only, “You’re good.”

Community outrage

The incident has reignited national conversations around racial bias in retail environments, especially interactions between store employees and Black customers. On social media, many have labeled the confrontation as blatant racial profiling and demanded that Kohl’s issue a formal apology and take disciplinary action.

As of Saturday evening, Kohl’s corporate office had not released a statement addressing the matter.