Macy’s, Neiman Marcus & others to give away free cosmetics in settlement: Estée Lauder, Clinique, Lancome, Clarins, Chanel, Boucheron, Dior

A trip to your local department store may be in order next week…

Hmmm...Chanel CoCo Mademoiselle...my favorite!

http://www.cosmeticssettlement.com/


Washington Business Journal

Macy’s, others to give away cosmetics in settlement

Lawsuit requires retailers to give away cosmetics

A clump of retailers will be giving away free cosmetics, skin care and perfumes on Jan. 20, as part of a 5-year-old settlement involving price fixing on beauty products.

Stores giving away items such as mascara tubes and perfume bottles include Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Nieman Marcus and Target.

The giveaway stems from a February 2004 class-action settlement filed on behalf of consumers who purchased cosmetics between May 1994 and July 2003, according to the settlement’s Web site (www.cosmeticssettlement.com). The retailers have claimed no wrong doing.

As part of the settlement, $175 million in cosmetics will be given away, one per person in a first-come, first serve basis. Consumers will be able to choose one item per person until supplies last. Brands include Estée Lauder, Clinique, Lancome, Clarins, Guerlain, Givenchy, Chanel, Boucheron, Cody, Calvin Klein, L’Oréal and Christian Dior.

The products involve mascara, skin care, moisturizers and fragrances, said Macy’s spokeswoman Sharon Bateman. “None of the product comes from the store’s regular inventory,” she said. “I think these products were created specifically for this give away.”

The offer will last until all of the products in a particular store are distributed.

Consumers are not required to show proof of purchase at Macy’s stores, though its customers will have to sign a certification sheet acknowledging they purchased the products.

Cincinnati-based Macy’s (NYSE:M) operates about 850 locations, including 40 Bloomingdale’s stores. There are about 15 Macy’s stores in the D.C. area.