Hermes Hit With Antitrust Suit Alleging Luxury Birkin Bag Scheme

Hermes International is facing an antitrust suit alleging the Parisian company illegally ties the sale of its luxury Birkin bag to the purchase of its expensive clothing and accessories.

Plaintiff Tina Cavalleri, a California resident who says she has spent tens of thousands of dollars at Hermès, alleged that she and other consumers were coerced into buying ancillary products from the company by virtue of wanting to purchase the Birkin handbags, according to a proposed class action filed Tuesday in US District Court for the District of Northern California.

Birkin bags have become a symbol of wealth and can range ...