Williams-Sonoma
TINA.org investigated Williams-Sonoma and found that seven of its websites — Williams-Sonoma, Williams-Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, Pottery Barn, PBteen, Pottery Barn Kids and West Elm — were marketing products as made in the USA when they were either imported or made with imported materials, according to inconspicuous origin information.
Highlights
- Filed complaint with FTC
- FTC filed action resulting in $1 million consent order
Timeline
2020
March 30
The FTC files an administrative action against Williams-Sonoma claiming it made false and deceptive U.S.-origin claims about numerous products. To settle the charges, the company agrees to pay $1 million and to stop making false, misleading, or unsubstantiated U.S.-origin claims.
2019
May 21
TINA.org sends a complaint letter to the FTC requesting that it re-open its investigation into Williams-Sonoma’s Made in the USA marketing and take appropriate enforcement action.
2018
June 13
The FTC sends a closing letter to Williams-Sonoma following an investigation into the company’s marketing of certain Chinese-made products as “Crafted in America.” The FTC decides not to pursue its investigation further due to the company’s corrective actions and Williams-Sonoma’s representation that the false U.S.-origin claim at issue was an isolated error.
2017
October 31
As shown in TINA.org’s Social Media Influencer investigation, Williams-Sonoma is promoted by social media influencer Rachel Parcell, who failed to include adequate disclosures of her material connection to the brand in her posts.
Featured
UPDATE: Williams-Sonoma to Pay $1 Million to Settle FTC Lawsuit over Misleading Made in USA Claims
Settlement comes after TINA.org alerted FTC to hundreds of products deceptively marketed as American-made.
The Latest
Williams-Sonoma
Retailer retrains personnel in response to FTC inquiry into its “Crafted in America” claims.
Class-Action Tracker
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