Estée Lauder Sues Walmart Over Alleged Counterfeit Beauty Products (WMT)

Estée Lauder filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on February 9, 2026, alleging Walmart sold counterfeit versions of its and affiliated brands' fragrance and skincare products on its website. According to court records, the products sold by Walmart bear marks identical, substantially indistinguishable, or confusingly similar to Estée Lauder's, with the company having purchased and tested samples confirming inauthenticity. The lawsuit alleges Walmart knew or should have known about the counterfeits and did little to ensure authenticity. Estée Lauder seeks injunctive relief to stop sales, as well as monetary damages. In a statement, Walmart said it has "zero tolerance for counterfeit products" and will respond when served. Alleged counterfeit items include products under Aveda, Clinique, La Mer, Le Labo, and Tom Ford.