Federal Court Dismisses California 'Made in U.S.A.' Labeling Case Against Lands' End

The Southern California U.S. District Court dismissed on June 19 a class action lawsuit alleging false “Made in the U.S.A.” claims on apparel sold in California by Lands’ End. The lawsuit was one of several ongoing cases in Southern California federal court that challenge retailers’ compliance with California’s strict U.S.-origin requirements. The district court recently denied motions to dismiss cases against Nordstrom (see 1411030049) and Macy’s (see 1504100014). However, the judge in the Lands’ End case, which stemmed from a consumer’s purchase of a necktie advertised on the Lands’ End website as “Made in the U.S.A.,” found several issues with the class action complaint and dismissed the case in its entirety. Among other problems, the complaint was too general, applying to all “apparel” sold throughout the U.S. Also, although Lands’ End advertised its neckties as “Made in the U.S.A.” on its website, the ties themselves were marked made in China. The case was dismissed without prejudice, so the complaint can be amended and refiled by July 6.