"Birkin Bag Controversy: Hermès Faces Lawsuits Over Exclusive Sales Practices"

A lawsuit filed in San Francisco accuses luxury retailer Hermes of violating antitrust law by allegedly reserving its iconic Birkin handbags for customers who have spent significant amounts on other goods at the store. The lawsuit claims that sales associates are directed to offer Birkin handbags only to customers with a sufficient purchase history, using them as a means to coerce purchases of other products. The plaintiffs seek class action status and monetary damages, alleging that Hermes' selling tactics are unfair.