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Williams-Sonoma was ordered to collect more than $3 million in civil penalties for falsely claiming its products were made in the United States when they were actually made in China.
“Williams-Sonoma claimed that its products were made in the United States, even though they were made in China,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “Williams-Sonoma’s deception misled consumers and harmed an honest American company,” she said.
The Department of Justice, along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), announced in a press release Friday that the luxury kitchen store had agreed to a settlement of $3,175,387.
“Today’s record civil penalties make clear that companies that commit Made in USA fraud will not be given a free pass,” Khan said.
Night view of the Williams Sonoma store facade on November 21, 2019 in San Ramon, California. Many stores are expecting an increase in foot traffic during the busy Black Friday shopping period. (Photo courtesy of The Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images) (Photo credit: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images / Getty Images)
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The Department of Justice and FTC allege that William Sonoma Inc., the parent company that owns Williams-Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, PBTeen, West Elm, and Rejuvenation, The lawsuit alleges that the company violated the terms of a 2017 FTC order. Require retailers to tell you the truth about whether the products they sell are made in the United States.
In addition to paying the fine, the company was required to admit to the truth about the falsehoods surrounding the manufacturing of its products.
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The order also required William Sonoma to preserve product manufacturing records for future reporting to government agencies.
A close-up of the sign for Williams-Sonoma, a high-end cookware store in San Ramon, California, taken on March 12, 2019. (Photo credit: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images / Getty Images)
The latest violation comes after the FTC sued William Sonoma in 2020.
According to the FTC, William Sonoma advertised several product lines under its Goldtouch, Rejuvenation, Pottery Barn Teen, and Pottery Barn Kids brands as all or substantially all made in the United States.
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Williams-Sonoma did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
