Attorney General's News Release

May 16, 2012

Attorney General Koster announces settlement with Skechers over health claims on Shape-Ups

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster today joined 43 other states and the federal government in a settlement with Skechers USA over how they marketed Shape-Ups, Tone-Ups, and the Skechers Resistance Runner athletic shoes. The settlement provides up to $40 million in refunds to consumers.

“We have alleged that Skechers made health-related claims to consumers that they couldn’t prove,” Koster said. “Consumers were duped into buying shoes that they thought would help them lose weight and tone up. I am pleased that consumers will be getting back some of their hard-earned money.”

The lawsuit filed in conjunction with the settlement alleges that without having adequate support for its claims, Skechers claimed that the rocker-bottom shoe products caused consumers to lose weight, burn calories, improve circulation, fight cellulite, and firm, tone or strengthen thigh, buttock, and back muscles.

Consumers who purchased these shoes will be eligible for a partial refund, expected to be about $20 per pair of shoes. To learn how to file a claim, consumers can call a special hotline at 866-325-4186. Consumers can also go to www.ftc.gov/skechers for information about filing a claim.

Under the settlement, Skechers is prohibited from making health claims unless it has adequate substantiation to do so. Skechers has not admitted any wrongdoing.