Home / alt.fashion / Sunday, July 20, 2003
––
Julie P.
"if you don't know what is wrong with me/then you don't know what you've
missed"––Declan McManus
Cosmetics Industry Scandal: Price–Fixing!!!!!!
"FC" <...@fc.fc>
7/20/2003 12:40:22 PM
Cosmetics industry settles price–fixing lawsuit
AP
July 20, 2003
Cosmetics companies have agreed to give away $175 million worth of products
to settle a price–fixing lawsuit, according to lawyers involved in the case.
The settlement, which must be approved by a federal judge, involves some of
the country's largest cosmetics manufacturers and retailers. It was
disclosed last week in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
by Estee Lauder, one of the companies involved.
The giveaway is expected to take place in about a year, and would involve
products specially manufactured for the occasion, according to lawyers
involved in the case.
The class–action suit was filed on behalf of people who bought cosmetics
from department stores between May 29, 1994 and June 1, 2003, but no
receipts would be required to get a free product.
"Virtually every woman who buys cosmetics knows that department store
cosmetics are never discounted, never go on sale and are priced identically
in any department store in any city through the country," said Terry Gross,
one of the plaintiffs' lawyers. "This kind of conduct does not happen in a
competitive environment without collusion."
Sally Susman, a spokeswoman for Estee Lauder, said the companies deny the
allegations.
"We strongly disagree with the claims and have moved to settle to get on
with our business and not get tangled in a protracted lawsuit," Susman said.
Exact details are unclear, but the distribution might be spread over several
days, and would be limited to one item per customer, said Joseph M. Alioto,
one of the plaintiffs' attorneys.
Other defendants in the suit are cosmetics manufacturers L'Oreal, Clarins
Boucheron, Chanel, Christian Dior, Conopco and Guerlain; and retailers
Bloomingdale's, Dillard's, Federated Department Stores, Gottschalk's, May
Department Stores, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks and Target.
AP
July 20, 2003
Cosmetics companies have agreed to give away $175 million worth of products
to settle a price–fixing lawsuit, according to lawyers involved in the case.
The settlement, which must be approved by a federal judge, involves some of
the country's largest cosmetics manufacturers and retailers. It was
disclosed last week in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
by Estee Lauder, one of the companies involved.
The giveaway is expected to take place in about a year, and would involve
products specially manufactured for the occasion, according to lawyers
involved in the case.
The class–action suit was filed on behalf of people who bought cosmetics
from department stores between May 29, 1994 and June 1, 2003, but no
receipts would be required to get a free product.
"Virtually every woman who buys cosmetics knows that department store
cosmetics are never discounted, never go on sale and are priced identically
in any department store in any city through the country," said Terry Gross,
one of the plaintiffs' lawyers. "This kind of conduct does not happen in a
competitive environment without collusion."
Sally Susman, a spokeswoman for Estee Lauder, said the companies deny the
allegations.
"We strongly disagree with the claims and have moved to settle to get on
with our business and not get tangled in a protracted lawsuit," Susman said.
Exact details are unclear, but the distribution might be spread over several
days, and would be limited to one item per customer, said Joseph M. Alioto,
one of the plaintiffs' attorneys.
Other defendants in the suit are cosmetics manufacturers L'Oreal, Clarins
Boucheron, Chanel, Christian Dior, Conopco and Guerlain; and retailers
Bloomingdale's, Dillard's, Federated Department Stores, Gottschalk's, May
Department Stores, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks and Target.
jjjjju...@aol.comehither (Jjjjjulie)
7/20/2003 9:06:45 PM
From: "FC"...@fc.fc
Is there an echo in here? ––
Julie P.
"if you don't know what is wrong with me/then you don't know what you've
missed"––Declan McManus