French luxury giant Kering SA, parent of Gucci, Saint Laurent and Balenciaga, is facing a potential class action over tariff price Increases that were not refunded to consumers.

Class action law firm Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating whether Kering raised retail prices on its luxury products to pass along the Trump administration’s global tariffs to consumers, then failed to refund them after the Supreme Court struck those tariffs down as unlawful.  

Beginning early last year, the federal government imposed sweeping tariffs on imported goods, sharply increasing the cost of importing consumer products into the US. Many companies responded by raising the retail prices their customers paid.

On February 20, the Supreme Court held that the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were unlawful, and it invalidated the tariff orders issued under that law. 

Following the decision, importers who had paid IEEPA duties were eligible to seek refunds from the federal government. This created a potential windfall, as retailers collected the tariff cost twice while the customers who actually paid the higher prices got nothing back. 

Edelson Lechtzin’s investigation covers Kering luxury products sold in the US during the tariff period, including Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen, Creed, and Maui Jim.

The law firm is calling customers who bought these goods during the period to reach out and learn more about their rights. Shoppers are advised to check their receipts and order history and keep the proof of purchase.

In a separate case, Edelson Lechtzin is also investigating potential class action lawsuits against Swiss manufacturer of watches and jewellery The Swatch Group over a similar issue.

The investigation covers products sold under Swatch Group brands, including Blancpain, Harry Winston, Omega, Longines, Tissot, and Hamilton, during the period the tariffs were in effect.