Police have charged a 25-year-old man with armed robbery following an incident in a clothing store in the Flinders Street Mall.

About 10am this morning the man attempted to leave the store and was asked to open his backpack by a female employee.

The man complied and the employee allegedly removed several items of clothing from the backpack before the man left the store, carrying his backpack.

After being confronted by a male employee outside the store, the man allegedly threatened to stab the employee with a pair of scissors.

Police arrested a man in a nearby car park.

He is scheduled to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on August 14.