Lululemon launches stunning attack on Costco and demands a trial by jury
Sportswear giant Lululemon is suing Costco for selling 'dupes' of its most popular sportswear products.
The apparel brand, founded in 1998, has accused Costco Wholesale Corporation of infringing on its intellectual property by selling knockoffs - and is now demanding a trial by jury.
Its Scuba hoodies and sweatshirts, Define jackets and ABC pants have all been copied by the general retailer, according to a lawsuit filed in a California court.
Lululemon, based in Vancouver, Canada, has claimed that some of the alleged fakes are being sold under Costco's private label Kirkland.
However, others are made by manufacturers Danskin, Jockey and Spyder.
'Some customers incorrectly believe these infringing products are authentic Lululemon apparel while still other customers specifically purchase the infringing products because they are difficult to distinguish from authentic Lululemon products, particularly for downstream purchasers or observers,' the 49-page lawsuit states.
Lululemon has argued that it previously sent Costco cease and desist letters to no avail.
It is now asking the court to step in and has asked for the matter to be heard in front of a jury.
The apparel brand, founded in 1998, has accused Costco Wholesale Corporation of infringing on its intellectual property by selling knockoffs - and is now demanding a trial by jury
Its ultimate aim is to order Costco to cease manufacturing, importing, marketing and selling the alleged dupes of Lululemon products.
Lululemon also wants the retailer to remove any adverts - either in print or online - featuring the alleged dupes to be removed as well as forcing Costco to cover any lost profits incurred from the products.
Costco has yet to file a response to Lululemon's lawsuit. DailyMail.com has reached out for comment.
The legal action comes after Lululemon's shares plunged 20 percent earlier this month as the athleisure brand suffered the consequences of Trump's tariffs.
The brand — which has earned a cult following among millennial and Gen Z exercise enthusiasts — beat Wall Street's expectations for its first quarter earnings, but cut its guidance for the rest of the year.
Sales were only up 1 percent year over year, compared to the 3 percent predicted by analysts.
The company said the 'dynamic macroenvironment' of tariffs and concerns about an economic downturn meant it has to readjust.
This will involve 'strategic price increases' to offset the negative effects of tariffs, chief financial officer Meghan Frank told analysts on the first quarter earnings call.
'It will be price increases on a small portion of our assortments, and they will be modest in nature,' she said.
The company has already faced criticism for the price of some of its items, including $128 yoga pants.
The price hikes will begin within a matter of weeks, Frank added.
CEO Calvin McDonald said he was 'not happy' about US growth figures and acknowledged that consumers are nervously pulling back their spending.
Lululemon has been hit hard by Trump's trade policies as it sources from China, currently under a 30 percent tariff, and a range of other countries currently levied at 10 percent.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Trump's ICE raids on farms risk U.S. food supply, economists warn
Recent raids carried out by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in California 's agricultural heartland are causing a widespread exodus of workers, threatening the harvest of billions of dollars worth of produce. Farmers say the raids earlier this month, as part of President Donald Trump 's migration crackdown, have frightened off workers and left fields in Ventura County and beyond critically understaffed. Ventura County produces billions of dollars worth of fruit and vegetables each year, much of it hand-picked by immigrants in the U.S. illegally. Lisa Tate, a sixth-generation farmer in the area, has observed the immediate and chilling effect of the ICE operations. "In the fields, I would say 70 percent of the workers are gone," she said. "If 70 percent of your workforce doesn't show up, 70 percent of your crop doesn't get picked and can go bad in one day. Most Americans don't want to do this work. Most farmers here are barely breaking even. I fear this has created a tipping point where many will go bust." The agricultural lands north of Los Angeles, stretching from Ventura County into the state's central valley, two farmers, two field supervisors and four immigrant farmworkers told Reuters this month that the ICE raids have led a majority of workers to stop showing up. That means crops are not being picked and fruit and vegetables are rotting at peak harvest time, they said. One Mexican farm supervisor, who asked not to be named, was overseeing a field being prepared for planting strawberries last week. Usually, he would have 300 workers, he said. On this day, he had just 80. Another supervisor at a different farm said he usually has 80 workers in a field, but today just 17. Bad for business Most economists and politicians acknowledge that many of America's agricultural workers are in the country illegally, but say a sharp reduction in their numbers could have devastating impacts on the food supply chain and farm-belt economies. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a Republican and former director of the Congressional Budget Office, said an estimated 80 percent of farmworkers in the U.S. were foreign-born, with nearly half of them in the country illegally. Losing them will cause price hikes for consumers, he said. "This is bad for supply chains, bad for the agricultural industry," Holtz-Eakin said. Over a third of U.S. vegetables and over three-quarters of the country's fruits and nuts are grown in California, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The state's farms and ranches generated nearly $60 billion in agricultural sales in 2023. Of the four immigrant farmworkers Reuters spoke to, two are in the country illegally. These two spoke on the condition of anonymity, out of fear of being arrested by ICE. One, aged 54, has worked in U.S. agricultural fields for 30 years and has a wife and children in the country. He said most of his colleagues have stopped showing up for work. "If they show up to work, they don't know if they will ever see their family again," he said. The other worker in the country illegally said, "Basically, we wake up in the morning scared. We worry about the sun, the heat, and now a much bigger problem - many not returning home. I try not to get into trouble on the street. Now, whoever gets arrested for any reason gets deported." To be sure, some farmworker community groups said many workers were still returning to the fields, despite the raids, out of economic necessity. The days following a raid may see decreased attendance in the field, but the workers soon return because they have no other sources of income, five groups told Reuters. Workers are also taking other steps to reduce their exposure to immigration agents, like carpooling with people with legal status to work or sending U.S. citizen children to the grocery store, the groups said. Trump conceded in a post on his Truth Social account this month that ICE raids on farm workers - and also hotel workers - were "taking very good, long-time workers away" from those sectors, "with those jobs being almost impossible to replace." Trump later told reporters, "Our farmers are being hurt badly. They have very good workers." He added, "They're not citizens, but they've turned out to be great." He pledged to issue an order to address the impact, but no policy change has yet been enacted. Trump has always stood up for farmers, said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly in response to a request for comment on the impact of the ICE raids on farms. "He will continue to strengthen our agricultural industry and boost exports while keeping his promise to enforce our immigration laws," she said. Bernard Yaros, Lead U.S. Economist at Oxford Economics, a nonpartisan global economics advisory firm, said in a report published on June 26 that native-born workers tend not to fill the void left by immigrant workers who have left. "Unauthorized immigrants tend to work in different occupations than those who are native-born," he said. ICE operations in California's farmland were scaring even those who are authorized, said Greg Tesch, who runs a farm in central California. "Nobody feels safe when they hear the word ICE, even the documented people. We know that the neighborhood is full of a combination of those with and without documents," Tesch said. "If things are ripe, such as our neighbors have bell peppers here, (if) they don't harvest within two or three days, the crop is sunburned or over mature," said Tesch. "We need the labor."
Geeky Gadgets
2 hours ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Why AI Tools Are the Key to Staying Relevant in a Saturated Market
What if the key to staying relevant in today's fast-paced digital world wasn't just about working harder, but working smarter? Imagine being able to craft professional-grade marketing videos, streamline tedious workflows, and amplify your product's visibility—all without the need for an entire production team. Enter AI tools like Veo 3, which are transforming how entrepreneurs, developers, and marketers approach their craft. In an era where even the most innovative ideas risk fading into the noise of a saturated market, the ability to harness AI-driven solutions is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity. The question isn't whether you should learn to use tools like Veo 3, but how quickly you can master them to stay ahead. The All About AI team explores why learning to use AI tools is one of the most critical skills of our time. From simplifying complex tasks like video editing and text-to-speech conversion to allowing small teams to compete with industry giants, tools like Veo 3 are leveling the playing field. But it's not just about the technology—it's about the strategy behind it. How can AI help you stand out in a crowded marketplace? What are the hidden opportunities waiting for those who embrace these innovations? By the end of this exploration, you'll not only understand the fantastic potential of AI tools but also feel inspired to make them an integral part of your creative and professional toolkit. After all, in a world shaped by constant change, adaptability is the ultimate advantage. Mastering AI Tools for Success The Challenges of Standing Out in a Crowded Market Launching a product without a well-defined audience or a robust marketing strategy often results in failure. The software and AI sectors are saturated with competitors, making it increasingly difficult to capture attention. Whether you are developing an AI application, starting a side hustle, or refining an existing product, the ability to stand out is essential. Even new innovations can go unnoticed without effective marketing strategies. AI tools like Veo 3 provide the means to overcome these challenges, offering creative and efficient solutions to help your product gain visibility and traction. How AI Tools Are Transforming Marketing Strategies AI tools have transformed the way marketing content is created and delivered. Platforms like Veo 3 allow you to produce high-quality video content quickly and cost-effectively. By integrating complementary technologies such as Gemini 2.5 Pro, 11 Labs, and Premiere Pro, you can streamline your workflow and achieve professional results. These tools simplify complex tasks, including: Video editing to create polished visuals to create polished visuals Text-to-speech conversion for professional voiceovers for professional voiceovers Music integration to enhance emotional appeal This integrated approach enables you to craft engaging content that resonates with your audience, making sure your product stands out in a competitive marketplace. Guide to Using AI Tools for Entrepreneurs and Businesses Watch this video on YouTube. Dive deeper into AI tools for marketing with other articles and guides we have written below. Streamlining Video Creation with AI Traditionally, creating marketing videos has been a labor-intensive and costly process. AI tools have significantly reduced these barriers. With clear prompts and structured scenes, you can ensure your message is both concise and impactful. Text-to-speech technology generates professional-grade voiceovers, while music integration adds depth and emotional resonance to your videos. These features make it easier to produce product demonstrations, promotional materials, and tutorials that effectively highlight your offerings. By using these tools, you can create high-quality content with minimal effort, saving both time and resources. The Importance of Marketing Skills in the Digital Age For developers and entrepreneurs, understanding the fundamentals of marketing is no longer optional—it is a critical component of success. AI tools empower you to create content that attracts users and builds a loyal audience, but the effectiveness of these tools depends on your ability to use them strategically. By dedicating time to mastering AI-driven marketing techniques, you can: Boost your product's visibility in a crowded market in a crowded market Foster a loyal customer base through engaging content through engaging content Gain a competitive edge by using advanced technologies This is particularly vital for individuals working on side projects or launching new ventures, where resources are often limited, and every effort must count. Adapting to an Evolving AI Landscape The AI landscape is in a constant state of evolution, requiring ongoing learning and adaptation. Staying ahead of the curve involves experimenting with new features and tools, such as consistent character creation in videos, which can elevate the quality of your content. By embracing these innovations, you can adapt to shifting trends and maintain a strong presence in the market. This proactive approach ensures that your marketing strategies remain relevant and effective, helping you to sustain growth and success over time. The Strategic Advantage of AI Mastery In today's fast-paced digital environment, mastering AI tools like Veo 3 is not merely an option—it is an essential skill for success. These tools enable you to create compelling marketing content, streamline workflows, and enhance product visibility, giving you a significant advantage in competitive industries. By investing in these skills and staying informed about advancements in AI technology, you can position yourself to thrive in an ever-changing landscape. Whether you are a developer, entrepreneur, or marketer, using AI tools effectively will provide the strategic edge needed to excel in your field. Media Credit: All About AI Filed Under: AI Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
TSX futures inch up as US-Canada trade talks revived
June 30 (Reuters) - Futures for Canada's main stock index edged higher on Monday as the revival of trade talks between Washington and Ottawa improved market sentiment. Futures on the S&P/TSX index (.SXFcv1), opens new tab were up 0.1% at 06:54 a.m. ET (1054 GMT). Canada scrapped its digital services tax targeting U.S. technology firms late on Sunday, just hours before it was due to take effect, in a bid to restart stalled trade negotiations with the U.S. Canada's finance ministry said that Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump will resume trade negotiations to agree to a deal by July 21. Trump abruptly called off trade talks on Friday over the tax targeting U.S. technology firms, saying that it was a "blatant attack." Toronto's commodity-heavy S&P/TSX composite index (.GSPTSE), opens new tab pulled back on Friday from a record high as data showed the domestic economy contracting and after Trump shattered optimism that U.S. would reach a tariff deal with Canada. Gold firmed on Monday, while oil prices , nudged lower. FOR CANADIAN MARKETS NEWS, CLICK ON CODES: TSX market report Canadian dollar and bonds report CA/ Reuters global stocks poll for Canada , Canadian markets directory
