FTC seeks to block Kate Spade, Michael Kors merger

  • 📰 ABC
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 72 sec. here
  • 4 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 35%
  • Publisher: 51%

Article News

114382451

The FTC may block a planned merger between the luxury brands.

The Michael Kors Store on Rodeo Drive on Feb. 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, Calif.The Federal Trade Commission is asking a federal judge in

to block the $8.5 billion merger of Tapestry, the company behind Coach, Kate Spade, and Capri, which controls Michael Kors.to block the sale, arguing that these brands dominate what's known as the "accessible luxury" market and that if they combined, consumers would suffer by paying higher prices. "This has to be the first time the focus of a federal court hearing turned to a $279 Kate Spade tote described as 'colorful, joyful, feminine, green and white seen on Emily in Paris," Senior investigative reporter and correspondent Aaron Katersky said on "Good Morning America," on Tuesday.Fg/bauer-griffin/GC Images via Getty Images, FILE

Tapestry argues the FTC is ignoring the reality of a marketplace, in which consumers have a lot of choices, suggesting it takes a mere stroll through Bloomingdale's or Macy's to see Gucci, Kors and Calvin Klein bags fighting for attention. Michael Kors himself testified last month during a hearing, telling the judge there's already plenty of competition for handbags, noting that he learned about one brand when he saw a photo of pop superstarKors also testified his handbags have "reached a point of brand fatigue" and a lawyer arguing in favor of the merger said it would revitalize the Michael Kors brand, so consumers have yet another choice. The goal, he said, is to sell more handbags to consumers.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 471. in BUSÄ°NESS

Business Business Latest News, Business Business Headlines