Target pulls fake MAC cosmetics from shelves

Date
    September 7, 2012


US cosmetics giant MAC has discovered that counterfeit make-up using its iconic branding was being sold across Target stores in Australia and has pushed the retailer to remove the product from its shelves.     

MAC's owner Estee Lauder will take legal action against Target.    

In a statement just released on its international website, MAC said it had used lab testing to detect the fake cosmetics.

"M·A·C Cosmetics has conducted extensive testing in our US laboratories and found that M·A·C marked products that were, until recently, being sold at Target Australia are counterfeit," a notice on its site says.   


"We notified Target Australia and they have withdrawn the products from their shelves and website."

It is believed that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and law enforcement agencies are investigating how the counterfeit cosmetics came to be sold at an Australian retailer.

Department stores and retailers in Australia are locked in an ongoing battle for brands and eagerly seek out exclusive distribution arrangements with popular brands and labels covering clothing, accessories, sunglasses and cosmetics.

The cosmetics group said on its US-based website that it could not guarantee the quality or safety of products not purchased from authorised retailers of M·A·C Cosmetics in Australia.

"Target Australia is not an authorized retailer of M·A·C Cosmetics and we did not supply any M·A·C products to Target Australia," said the statement, which features prominently on the make-up company's website.

"We urge our customers to shop at our authorized retailers to ensure the M·A·C Cosmetics products they buy are authentic and meet the quality and safety standards that we promise."

In Australia, authorized retailers for M·A·C are its freestanding stores, www.maccosmetics.com.au, M·A·C Pro stores as well as department stores Myer and David Jones.

"M·A·C Cosmetics is committed to providing the highest quality, on-trend products to our consumers around the globe. We take this responsibility very seriously and are unwavering in our commitment to provide consumers with products that meet our quality and safety standards."

Target has been contacted for comment.   

Based in the US, MAC Cosmetics was acquired by Estée Lauder in 1998.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/target-pulls-fake-mac-cosmetics-from-shelves-20120907-25iq2.html#ixzz25kZWcMCL

Fuggem, I reckon.