Wal-Mart sued by fashion chain

US retail giant Wal-Mart is being sued by American women's clothing chain Anthropologie, according to a report by the FT. The chain alleges that Wal-Mart has used fabrics developed by Anthropologie to produce "confusingly similar" garments. Anthropologie is a brand owned by Urban Outfitters and has more than 65 stores across the US. It is known for its bohemian chic clothing catering to "sophisticated and contemporary women aged 30 to 45".

The retailer has filed a claim in a New York court of law stating that Wal-Mart "has embarked upon a conscious strategy of copying the designs of others" in its efforts to build its "cheap chic" line. It mentioned Wal-Mart's decision to open a "trend office" in New York's Garment District, to keep abreast of developments in fashion.

The complaint further states: "Plaintiffs have recently become aware of Wal-Mart's advertising and sale of skirts that feature patterns, fabrics, colour schemes and designs that are identical, virtually identical, or highly similar to Anthropologie's own garments." One of the items that Anthropologie has complained about is an a-line, floral prints skirt sold under Wal-Mart's George brand. On Wal-Mart's site, the skirt retails for $16,92, while Anthropologie's version costs over $100.

"In the garment industry, knockoffs are pretty commonplace, and it's not very common to sue someone in connection with a knockoff, for the simple reason that the publicity that attaches to the case is like to be favourable to the company doing the knockoff," Kurt Barnard, president of Barnard Retail Consulting, told the FT.

In 1994, Yves Saint Laurent famously won a case against Ralph Lauren in a French court over the cut of an evening dress. Earlier this year, French luxury brand Chloe sued high street chain Kookai over the alleged copying of one of its bags.