By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG retailer Target is taking legal action in the United States to force suppliers to reveal the source of allegedly fake cosmetics the company has been accused of selling.
A Target spokesperson said the company had identified US company Mudd Puppy as a source of the MAC Cosmetics at the centre of the allegations.
Target itself is the subject of legal action by global company Estee Lauder over stocking what it claimed was fraudulent MAC Cosmetics products.
“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 spokesperson said.
“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. 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.”
Mudd Puppy is based in Deactur, Texas. Its website has been removed, leaving a message saying the site is “under construction”.
But in an entry on business to business website Tradekey.com, Mudd Puppy claims it specifically deals in MAC Cosmetics that are 100 per cent authentic.
“Authenticity is our first priority, you do not have to worry about this being an issue. We are a reliable company offering wholesale prices in an assortment of Mac (sic) items.”
The Independent’s request for comment from Mudd Puppy Cosmetics owner Marcy Dickerson was unanswered.
