Sears stands up for itself against Canada Goose bullies
The latest clash between Canadian retailers has David-versus-Goliath overtones, although we’re not entirely sure who is who. On one side, there’s Toronto-based Canada Goose, the ubiquitous puffy-parka maker recently acquired by Mitt Romney’s former private-equity firm, Bain Capital. It’s claiming that mega-retailer Sears Canada ripped off its signature design—fur trim, shoulder logo, front-flap pockets and all—which would seem to make Sears the brutish oppressor. But, that’s not quite the story Sears is spinning. On Tuesday, the company filed court documents accusing Canada Goose of launching a “campaign of intimidation” against itself and other winter-jacket-selling retailers.
“Canada Goose is simply attempting to bully Sears and others through demands, unfounded litigation, statements in the press and the like into ceasing activities that Canada Goose knows do not cause confusion or any harm to it,” Sears Canada stated in its defense to the lawsuit, which was filed by Canada Goose late last year. Sears also accuses the retailer of defrauding its loyal customers: “The real purpose of Canada Goose’s campaign of intimidation is to attempt to prevent or lessen sales in the marketplace of less expensive winter jackets … to preserve its temporary ability to sell its garments at a huge markup to the public.”
Notoriously protective of its image, this isn’t the first time Canada Goose has litigated against another retailer. Two years ago the company sued International Clothiers for selling a Super Triple Goose parka that was just a little too similar to Canada Goose’s popular outerwear. That lawsuit settled in 2012 for an undisclosed sum. Judging by Sears’s fighting words, this one could get interesting.
Thanks to the publicity of this dispute, I was made aware of the similar coats at Sears. I bought one and love it. And unlike the Canada Goose version, I got a fantastic coat with a faux fur collar instead of real fur. And I paid a fraction of the price. It’s the best coat I’ve ever had and get constant compliments on it. So thanks Canada Goose, for making me aware of your alternatives!
They look exactly the same. Only difference is Sears is garbage and made in china. Support Canada Goose. Canadian Made.
FAUX still has fur – but they use cats and dogs
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/20/business/faux-fur-case-settled-by-neiman-marcus-and-2-other-retailers.html?_r=0
Just because it’s made in China doesn’t mean it isn’t a well made jacket.
I am aware of this problem – indeed many REAL fur trims claimed to be fox, etc are really cats and dogs (especially stuff from China). Your statement implies ALL faux fur is real fur – this is fundamentally incorrect. You can generally the difference by the silky feel of real fur.
knockoffs are the whole essence of the apparel business….. especially the private label brands…. nothing new here
These jackets are just douchy! Trying to up market a parka? what idiot would buy one?
And faux fur must be synthetic. If its cat or dog which is most of the crap from china, it’s still real fur. And what the hell is the difference? Cat, dog, fox? They are all animals. If it is wrong to kill one for something as meaningless as collar trim- bc it doesn’t add anything but douche factor- it is wrong to kill the other.
Canada Goose jackets are just overpriced parkas for assholes who think if they spend more something, they somehow better. It is only fitting that they are now owned by Mitt Romney’s baby Bain Capital. Douches all around!
Owning a Canada goose does not make one a douche. I’ve had mine for five years now and I bought it because it was the only parka that I found that kept me warm. Sorry but my initial investment, that may have seemed hefty at the time, has saved me from having to buy new coats season after season and has turned out to be a blessing. Stop being so judgmental, it makes you the douchey asshole.
Please? The only parka that keeps people warm? That’s retarded! You working for them? Any heavy parka keeps people warm! You wanted to show off how much you can spend on something as utilitarian as a parka to show your social capital and how you are worth it :) It’s a flagrant display of wealth and social status and that is pretty douchey. FYI the majority of people do not buy a new coat every year! Only those searching to display their social status or how they equate success to wasteful spending. Your economic reasoning only satisfy you.
Living in a country where our jobs are fleeing to low cost regions of the world, why are we so good at bashing our own companies? Let’s all hate Canada Goose now, since Blackberry is nearly dead. If anything, the reason our economy stinks (good thing we can float on oil!) is because we are constantly attracted to the cheapest deal without any thought of the impacts on our own economy. We used to actually have manufacturing industries. And you think I’m following trends and being shallow? I get made fun of for using a Blackberry… what the hell? Before you call me a spoiled douche, understand that I am a student in the lowest income bracket, living off student loans and part time construction labour, but I still manage to save up to buy Canadian goods. I rep a blackberry Z10 (some components were made in Canada and Mexico – iPhones are made in China – now Blackberry is switching to China as well, cause no body supported them!), I wear Pajar boots (some made in Canada, now switching to China, cause no one supported them!), Roots jogging pants and sweaters (sweater made in Canada, now almost all goods made in China!), I buy socks from the great Canadian sock company (still made in Canada). I pay a little more for a made in Canada sticker, but at least I can feel good about the jobs I help maintain and the environment I preserve, since these goods are produced in stricter regulations, and since they are not excessively packaged and shipped from one country to another.
Yah I’m such a douche bag. I can’t wait till the day when we all work at Target, Sears, Starbucks and Apple. Then we can sell each other the same crap in a different colour and think we’re special.
Regardless, I boycotted it. You can’t prove anything by texture anymore.
It pretty much does. Anything I’ve ever bought that was made in china has not had the longevity of more expensive locally made things.