2 1 Shi Ji Jing Ji Bao Dao·2026-02-12 09:57Core Viewpoint - Estée Lauder has filed a lawsuit against Walmart, accusing the retail giant of selling counterfeit products from its brands, including Aveda, Clinique, La Mer, Le Labo, and Tom Ford, through its official website [2][3] Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit claims trademark infringement, sale of counterfeit goods, and false origin labeling by Walmart, which allegedly uses Estée Lauder's trademarks for search engine optimization to attract traffic and profit [2] - Estée Lauder has tested some of the suspected counterfeit products and confirmed they were not produced by the company, accusing Walmart of insufficient oversight of product authenticity on its website [3] - The company seeks unspecified economic damages and an injunction to prevent Walmart from selling the alleged counterfeit products [3] Group 2: Consumer Reactions - Many Chinese consumers have expressed dissatisfaction on social media, claiming to have purchased suspected counterfeit skincare products from Walmart and Sam's Club [4] - Some consumers reported buying products at prices lower than those at official stores, leading to suspicions of counterfeit goods [6] Group 3: Financial Performance - Estée Lauder's fragrance business is experiencing growth, particularly among Gen Z consumers, with a 6% increase in net sales to $4.2 billion in Q2 of FY2026, driven by skincare and fragrance categories [5] - The skincare segment, supported by brands like La Mer and The Ordinary, has the highest sales contribution, while the fragrance segment also saw a 6% increase, led by Le Labo and Tom Ford [5] Group 4: Impact on Brands - The presence of counterfeit products could divert target customers and impact the sales of genuine products, potentially diminishing the brand's established premium pricing [5][7] - Estée Lauder's sales are reliant on diverse channels, including Walmart, and the sale of counterfeit products by Walmart could significantly affect Estée Lauder's performance in overlapping markets [7] Group 5: Walmart's Business Overview - Walmart's retail business in the U.S. generated $462.4 billion in revenue, accounting for 67.9% of total revenue, with significant contributions from its Sam's Club segment [8] - Walmart's sales in China reached approximately $20.3 billion in FY2025, marking a new high, with Sam's Club contributing positively to this growth [8]