Latest news with #Kirkland
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
See how Lululemon items compare to Costco 'dupes' claimed in lawsuit
Luxury athletic wear maker Lululemon is suing warehouse giant Costco over alleged "knockoffs" or "dupes" ‒ cheaper copies of popular items ‒ sold by the warehouse giant. Lululemon filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Central California on June 27. It alleges that Costco's in-house Kirkland Signature brand infringed on its trademarks, trade dress and design patents, and caused "significant harm" to its brand. The company is seeking unspecified monetary damages for lost profits and a halt to Costco's production and marketing of the copied items, which allegedly include hoodies, jackets and pants. Here's a closer look at the Lululemon clothing items in question: The Lululemon items cited in the lawsuit include "Scuba" hoodies, "Define" jackets, and "ABC" pants. The company alleges that an "ordinary observer" would not be able to tell the difference between the two brands in the lawsuit. Costco's products cost significantly less than Lululemon clothing. A Lululemon 'Scuba' hoodie sells for $99 to $118 on the company's website, the lawsuit says, while the Costco item costs $8. The "Scuba": An oversized half-zip hoodie features finger holes in the sleeves and a kangaroo pocket in the front. It retails between $99 and $118 on Lululemon's website, and its alleged Costco "dupe" called the "Danskin Half-Zip Pullover" retails for $8. The "Define" jacket: A full-zip jacket features shaping lines on the front and back to accentuate the wearer's waist. It retails at $128 on Lululemon's website, and the alleged Costco "dupes" called "Jockey Ladies Yoga Jacket" or "Spyder Women's Yoga Jacket" retail for $22. The "ABC" men's pants: Features five pockets, ornamental lines and a four-direction stretch. They retail at $128 on Lululemon's website, and its alleged Costco "dupe" is called the "Kirkland 5 Pocket Performance Pant" retails at $10. Here's what the court documents show: In addition to the articles of clothing, Lululemon alleges that Costco stole its "Tidewater Teal" color, a popular color offered among several of Lululemon's clothing items. What is Costco's Kirkland brand? Costco's Kirkland Signature brand is its flagship private-label brand launched in 1995, named after Kirkland, Washington, where its headquarters were formerly located. According to the Wall Street Journal, Kirkland items account for about a third of Costco's revenue and brought in $86 billion last year. Though Costco sells name-brand items, it frequently features a Kirkland-branded item next to the name-brand at a lower cost, similar to Walmart's "Great Value" line. The lawsuit stated that Costco is "known to use manufacturers of popular branded products for its own KIRKLAND® 'private label' products" and that the practice could lead consumers to believe Kirkland products are made by the same suppliers of the original items. The lawsuit claims Costco "does not dispel this ambiguity." Reporters for this story reached out to both companies but did not receive a response by the time of initial publication. In previously reported stories a Lululemon spokesperson told USA TODAY "As an innovation-led company that invests significantly in the research, development and design of our products, we take the responsibility of protecting and enforcing our intellectual property rights very seriously and pursue the appropriate legal action when necessary," Note: USA TODAY is mentioned once in the lawsuit as covering Lululemon products but is not an involved party in the lawsuit. CONTRIBUTING Greta Cross, George Petras
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
The reason Costco milk doesn't spoil after its expiration date
Costco 's Kirkland-brand milk is reportedly lasting significantly longer than its printed expiration date, a phenomenon noted by customers. This extended shelf life is attributed to Costco's exceptionally rigorous testing and quality control standards, which exceed typical FDA requirements. Suppliers face strict annual unannounced audits, and every milk batch undergoes approximately 60 microbial tests, with any failure preventing shipment. The quality of water used in processing is closely monitored, and milk from healthier herds with lower somatic cell counts is preferred for its longer fridge lifespan. These stringent measures contribute to reduced food waste and increased customer satisfaction due to the milk's prolonged freshness.
Fox News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Viral Costco cookie blends childhood favorites into one: 'Out of this world'
Costco customers are going wild over an indulgent new cookie flavor that combines nostalgic flavors of childhood into one gooey and chewy dessert. Kirkland Signature Marshmallow Crispy Cookies hit the shelves earlier this month and have gone viral, with members racing to the wholesaler to grab the 24-count box of cookies, which cost $9.99 in stores. "To me, it's the perfect combo of a sugar cookie and a Rice Krispies Treat," Laura Lamb, the creator and owner of the Costco Hot Finds fan page, said in a TikTok video. "It's chewy but with a little crunch and just out of this world." "Just got these and they're AMAZING," one TiKToker commented on Lamb's video — which got over 2 million views on the social media platform. "This is enough to start my Costco membership back up," another said of the latest marshmallow twist. "I work in the bakery," another person commented. "They're SO good! At first, I was disappointed we didn't get s'mores back," she added, referring to another fan favorite. Some lamented there wasn't a 24-pack of their beloved white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, while others stood by Costco's tried-and-true chocolate chip variety. Others said they were a bit too sweet for their liking, while one man thought they'd be better with chocolate chips. "Initially, when I first saw them, I actually thought that too, but trust me, they do not," Lamb replied to him. Angela Ackerman, who runs the social media account Costco Guides, said she was hesitant about the new cookie option at first. "I didn't know what to expect, but these are so delicious," Ackerman said in a TikTok post. "They have a brown butter dough, marshmallows for chewiness and crispy rice cereal for a crunch for only $9.99. Grab them." Another TikTok user described them as if "a Rice Krispy treat and an oatmeal cookie had a baby." Hundreds of Costco lovers took to the Reddit forum dedicated to the big-box store to discuss the recent drop. Some suggested popping the baked goods into the microwave or air fryer for a few seconds. Overall, internet users were all for the trendy treat. "Bought these once and can never buy them again … They are too good," one person on Reddit said. "Straight into the top 4 best cookies of my life," another wrote. The marshmallow cookies join a grocery list of other Costco items released this summer, including the Kirkland Signature Peaches and Cream Bar Cake and the frozen strawberry lemonade.
Fox News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Costco customers rave about 'delicious' new marshmallow crispy rice cookies
Costco's Kirkland Signature Marshmallow Crispy Cookie is the latest dessert to cause a social media frenzy.
West Australian
4 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
ASIC launches probe into debt management, credit repair industry
The corporate watchdog is launching a probe into the debt management and credit repair industry, saying it is concerned some businesses are 'leaving financially vulnerable consumers worse off'. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission said it was looking at examples where debt management firms 'may have failed consumers' by not meeting the terms of their agreement, charged high fees for no or limited services, or failed to communicate properly with clients. ASIC commissioner Alan Kirkland said he was worried some licensees — the sector is comprised of about 100 — may be failing to engage in credit activities 'efficiently, honestly and fairly, leaving financially vulnerable consumers worse off as a result'. 'We have heard numerous accounts of debt management firms making promises to vulnerable consumers that may not have been kept,' Mr Kirkland said. In one instance highlighted by the commissioner, a woman was unable to find out why her debt management firm was not making any payments to her creditors. After numerous calls to the firm, she was told to enter into bankruptcy with no further explanation. In another example, a man was at risk of having his car repossessed after his debt management firm failed to respond to default notices from creditors. 'When he cancelled his contract and asked for a partial refund from the debt management firm, they said there was a no-refund policy,' Mr Kirkland said. 'Stories like these are disturbing and if we detect unfair and unlawful practices, we will take enforcement action to protect consumers.' ASIC's review will look at the varying debt management and credit repair business models in operation and how they comply with the law. A licensing regime was introduced in 2021 for debt management and credit repair firms to protect consumers from predatory practices. The financial regulator has taken action against several businesses since then, including suing Bakken Holdings, the operator of debt management business Solve My Debt Now, in August 2023 following concerns of 'substantial consumer harm'. ASIC at the time alleged Bakken collected $3.6 million from its customers but paid only $1.1m of this money to creditors, and that 64 per cent of customers did not have payments made to their creditors at all. The company previously said Solve My Debt Now did not pay clients' debts, but negotiated payment plans on their behalf. ASIC refused Bakken's application for an Australian credit licence in June this year. Meanwhile, it hit debt management company Chapter Two Holdings Pty Ltd with two infringement notices in April for alleged misleading statements made on its website regarding debt management outcomes. ASIC said Chapter Two's website included statements that the company had wiped $80m in debt and saved consumers $30m in interest. The watchdog is expected to publish insights from its review into the debt management and credit repair industry in a public report next year.
