Aldi Is Being Sued By a Popular Snack Creator For Allegedly Selling 'Confusingly Similar Packaging'
Mondelēz International is suing Aldi, accusing the chain of copying packaging for popular snack brands including Oreos, Wheat Thins, Chips Ahoy! and Ritz crackers to mislead shoppers.
The suit claims Aldi ignored prior warnings of legal action regarding Mondelēz's more popular brands and is "riding the coattails" of Mondelēz's branding.
Mondelēz is seeking a jury trial to determine damages, including legal fees and punitive awards.Aldi is in hot water with Mondelēz International, the parent company of well-known snack brands including Oreo, Wheat Thins, Nutter Butter, Chips Ahoy!, Nilla Wafers and Ritz crackers.
In a complaint obtained by PEOPLE, filed on Tuesday, May 27, Mondelēz International, along with its intellectual property holding company and subsidiary Intercontinental Great Brands LLC (collectively 'Mondelēz'), claims that the budget-friendly grocery chain's business model hinges on producing products with similar packaging to resemble its popular aforementioned brands in an attempt to 'confuse' its customers.
'Defendant is in the business of selling private label cookie and cracker snacks and has a pattern and practice of selling products in packaging that are unacceptable copies of Mondelēz's trade dress,' reads the complaint. 'Because of this misconduct, Mondelēz has a history of enforcing its intellectual property rights against Defendant.'
Mondelēz alleges that it has reached out to Aldi in the past regarding the mimicking of other product designs, including Teddy Graham cookies, Belvita biscuits, Tate's Bake Shop cookies and Triscuit crackers.
According to the complaint, Aldi 'discontinued and/or changed certain of these infringing products' in response to the outreach. However, Mondelēz alleges Aldi ignored its similar request regarding the other product lines, which led to the formal complaint.
'Defendant's willful infringement must be stopped, and Mondelēz is entitled to recover the significant damages it has suffered,' reads the court documents. 'Defendant's acts have caused and are likely to cause confusion, mistake, or deception in the minds of the public.'
Neither Mondelez International nor Aldi responded to PEOPLE's attempts for comment.
Mondelēz claims that the alleged purposeful use of its familiar marketing designs by Aldi is an attempt to 'ride the coattails' of its products' popularity and benefit from its 'power of attraction, fame and/or prestige, and to exploit the marketing effort expended by Mondelēz.'
Mondelēz is seeking a jury trial, which will be charged with determining the award amounts for treble damages, Mondelēz's attorney fees and costs, punitive damages, and any other awards the Court deems appropriate.
Read the original article on People
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Here are the forecasts for Tesco shares out to 2028
Tesco (LSE: TSCO) shares have gained 35% over the past five years, though the price has been a bit volatile along the way. Pressure on the retail sector has had an effect on Tesco in recent times. But against that, investors often see companies selling essentials as safe havens in times of stock market uncertainty. Tesco has held on to its market-leading position as number one in the UK groceries business. In fact, the latest Kantar survey showed market share actually growing to 28%. Tesco seems to be holding off the threat of competition from cheapies like Aldi and Lidl nicely enough. We're increasingly seeing price competition creeping back to our high streets again. So what's the outlook like for Tesco in the current year and beyond? A first-quarter trading update due on 12 June will give us an idea how the current year is starting out. At 2024/25 results time, the company told us it expects adjusted operating profit for the 2025/26 year within a range of £2.7bn to £3.0bn. That's a little below the £3,128m in the year just ended, and reflects 'a further increase in the competitive intensity of the UK market' seen in the first few months of the year. Currently, broker forecasts show that turning into earnings per share (EPS) of around 26p. That would be approximately 12% ahead of the 23.13p diluted EPS figure reported for 2024/25. Maybe it's a bit optimistic considering the company's own outlook? It can sometimes take months for broker updates to feed through. City analysts expect earnings to grow to 32p per share by 2028. And that would be an impressive 38% rise in just three years. They must surely have factored several optimistic possibilities into that. Interest rates should fall further in the next three years. Where their new steady level will be remains to be seen, but I can't see us getting back close to those lovely old 0.5% levels for quite a long time. I think it would also need today's US-led trade wars to settle down, and for the economic growth outlook to get back to strength. Will those both happen by 2028? Maybe I'm an optimist, but I put my investment money on it however long it takes. Do I think we should consider buying Tesco now, on the back of these upbeat forecasts? Well, I can't remember a time when I haven't had Tesco down as a candidate buy on my list. Every time I have money to invest though, I seem to find something I like better. I'm still bullish, as always. We're looking at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 14.5, very close to the FTSE 100 average. And it could drop to 12 by 2028 if the analysts have it right. With valuations like that, and dividend yields of around 3.5%, I can understand why Tesco shares hold a cornerstone position in so many Stocks and Shares ISAs. I'm considering finally adding some to mine. The post Here are the forecasts for Tesco shares out to 2028 appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. More reading 5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50 One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool Alan Oscroft has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Tesco Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Motley Fool UK 2025 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Aldi Is Declaring a Summer Full of Savings With Discounts on More Than 400 Items
Aldi is cutting prices on more than 400 summer products across categories like meats, organic produce, and pantry staples in all 2,400 U.S. stores through Labor Day 2025. Consumer concerns about grocery costs are significant, with the Pew Research Center reporting a 28.3% increase in food-at-home prices since January 2020 and 60% of U.S. adults citing food costs as a key factor in their shopping decisions. Aldi credits its ability to maintain low prices to its streamlined operations, including practices such as the quarter-cart system and limited in-store one of the fastest-growing grocery chains in the United States, Aldi is set to become America's favorite supermarket — and the brand is making sure of it by announcing that it's cutting prices on over 400 products for summer. With rising grocery prices posing an ongoing concern for many Americans, it isn't the first time Aldi has made it clear that the chain aims to meet customers where they are. Last year, Aldi CEO Jason Hart emphasized on Good Morning America, 'We don't really focus on what the competition is doing. We're focused on what consumers want and need.' The German chain put its money where its mouth was in 2024 by announcing major discounts on 250 items throughout the summer. This year, Aldi is taking its savings even more seriously by lowering grocery prices on nearly 25% of its products, totaling over 400 items across various aisles — including meats, organic produce, pantry items, and more — in all 2,400 U.S. stores from now through Labor Day. Related: These Aldi Items Are the Answer to Easy Meals, and the Internet Loves Them According to a press release provided to Food & Wine, the brand estimates that it 'will save customers $100 million this summer.' The discounts couldn't have come at a better time: Statistics reveal that two-thirds of Americans are very concerned about the costs of 'food and consumer goods.' "Aldi wants shoppers to focus on what summer is all about — grilling, camping, concerts, and quality time with friends and family — not stressing over grocery bills,' Scott Patton, Aldi's chief commercial officer, tells Food & Wine. 'From grilling essentials to road trip snacks, Aldi is lowering prices on summertime favorites to help stretch our shoppers' savings where it matters most. Customers can look for the red 'price drops' logo in stores and online to easily shop summer favorites at even lower prices." In a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, data revealed that about six in ten adults in the United States consider food costs to be extremely or very important when filling their shopping carts and deciding which products to purchase. The Pew Research Center also reports that 'The cost of food at home has climbed 28.3% since January 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S.' Beyond that, recent survey data from KPMG indicates that 79% of consumers anticipate price increases for goods, including groceries, in the coming months. At the same time, many households are reporting a decrease in their income compared to last year. Related: Americans Are Turning to Short-Term Loans to Afford Their Groceries Even before these newly announced price cuts, customers have always turned to Aldi for its affordable groceries. Hart says, 'Our customers count on ALDI for the lowest prices of any national grocer, every day, and we never take that trust for granted.' Aldi's summer discounts will feature reduced prices on a wide variety of products, including meats (such as grass-fed ground beef and baby back ribs, both ideal for seasonal cookouts), protein bars, fresh fruits, and sodas. 'While customers may see higher prices at other retailers, we're working hard to unlock even more value for our shoppers, just in time for summer's lineup of holidays and gatherings where food takes center stage,' Hart says. Related: Trump's Tariffs May Add Nearly $5,000 to the Average Family's Annual Grocery Costs Aldi's chief commercial officer, Scott Patton, details that, 'This summer, we're going further to deliver more of what sets us apart, great products at the lowest possible prices. With price drops on the season's most-loved products in every aisle, we want to do what we can to help shoppers enjoy more of summer.' If you're wondering how Aldi can afford to give shoppers such low prices, the supermarket even includes an answer in its press release about the summer savings, emphasizing that this is 'thanks to the intentionally different way the grocer operates. From its famous quarter cart system to the decision to skip music in its stores, Aldi cuts the fluff, so shoppers don't have to cut corners.' This summer, whether you plan to sear steaks for a crowd, grab your favorite ice cream, or buy drinks for the upcoming holiday weekends and backyard barbecues, be sure to take advantage of Aldi's seasonal promotions. Read the original article on Food & Wine Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Tesco to shed light on sales as ‘awful April' bill hikes squeeze budgets
Tesco shareholders will be watching closely for signs that it is managing to fend off competition as the supermarket price war heats up and 'awful April' bill hikes eat into household income. The UK's biggest supermarket chain will unveil its financial results for the first three months of its financial year on Thursday. Tesco recently signalled that a price war was mounting within the sector, saying that it expects to make as much as £400 million less in profit in the year ahead as a result of what it called 'a very competitive market'. Asda has promised its biggest price cuts in 25 years under returning boss Allan Leighton, in a bid to revive the languishing chain. The rapid growth of discounters Aldi and Lidl in the UK has also driven more competition as supermarkets move to match some of their prices to low-cost alternatives. Tesco is expecting to generate a group adjusted operating profit of between £2.7 billion and £3 billion for the year to February 2026, down from the £3.1 billion made over the latest year. A group of analysts for AJ Bell said that, despite fears of a supermarket price war, Tesco's share price was close to a 12-year high. 'Asda's reboot under new chair Allan Leighton prompted such concerns but, for now, the competition seems relatively limited in scope, with a focus on Clubcard and loyalty scheme customers and loss-leaders that drive footfall,' they said. 'Mr Leighton claims he can see the green shoots of recovery at Asda, but the latest Kantar survey of market share in the UK grocery market suggests that Tesco, Aldi and Lidl continue to have both Asda and Morrisons for breakfast.' Asda is the UK's third-largest UK supermarket, behind Sainsbury's, but remains close to being overtaken by Aldi which has seen its share of the market grow steadily. Meanwhile, investors will be looking for an update from Tesco on how consumers are faring following the onset of higher bills during what has been dubbed as 'awful April'. Household bills including for electricity, water, phone deals, and council tax rose for many from the beginning of the month. Financial markets analyst Michael Hewson said trading updates from the UK's biggest retailers can give a strong indication of consumer trends and any signs of weakness in the UK economy. He said Tesco's Booker division – the food wholesaler – was the 'main drag' on its latest annual sales figures, 'largely due to weakness in its tobacco business, as well as the fast-food market serviced by its Best Food logistics brand'. 'This business supplies the likes of Burger King, Pret a Manger, Pizza Express, Zizzi, Nando's and Pizza Hut, and saw a like-for-like sales decline of 5.1% to £1.44 billion,' he said.
