Discount department store Target has opened up to ragtrader.com.au on its latest legal stoush, following allegations of illegal conduct from global retail giant Estee Lauder.
As previously reported on ragtader.com.au, the Australian retail chain, owned by Wesfarmers, became the target of legal action by international make-up company Estee Lauder, following claims that it had been selling fake MAC Cosmetics at its stores.
While the case with Estee Lauder is still on going, Target has since invested in its own search to discover the original source of the counterfeit cosmetics.
According to reports, Target followed the supply line to a wholesaler called 'Get Your MAC On', based in the state of Arizona, and after suing it in court discovered that it got its questionable make-up from a company titled 'Mudd Puppy Cosmetics'.
A Targert spokesperson has since confirmed to ragtrader.com.au, that Target has since taken legal action against Mud Puppy.
"In mid-2012 Target offered customers a range of MAC product at prices 30 per cent to 40 per cent less than department stores. The Australian supplier from whom we bought the product had assured Target that the products were genuine. We also had contracts in place with relevant warranties that support those assurances.
“On 28 August, we received a letter from Estee Lauder claiming that these products were not genuine and on the same day we sent a directive to all Target stores to withdraw the MAC products from the selling floor so that we could investigate the claim. We continue our investigation, and a regime for testing of the products is being agreed to with the Court and Estee Lauder.
“As part of our investigations into the source of supply to our Australian supplier we’ve identified US based company Mudd Puppy and have taken legal action in the USA seeking that the company reveal their source of supply. This action is also still in progress and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”
Target is part of the Wesfarmers group, which is also responsible for discount department chain Kmart.