The ACCC today commenced proceedings in the Federal Court, alleging that national fashion retailer Mosaic Brands Limited breached the Australian Consumer Law by failing to deliver several hundred thousand products to customers within the delivery timeframes advertised on its websites.
Mosaic Brands owns a number of popular brands, including Noni B, Rivers, Katies, Rockmans, Millers, Autograph, Beme, Crossroads and W. Lane.
Mosaic Brands advertised on its brand websites that items would be delivered within certain timeframes. The timeframes varied between the websites, but were generally two to 17 business days from the purchase date.
The ACCC alleges that, between 23 September 2021 and 31 March 2022, Mosaic Brands made false or misleading representations to consumers that it would deliver products purchased online within the advertised delivery timeframes. It is also alleged that Mosaic Brands wrongly accepted payment for goods during the same period, when it failed to deliver orders within the advertised timeframes, or within a reasonable timeframe, or not at all.
Customers experienced excessive and lengthy delays during this time, where over 26 per cent of items ordered were dispatched from Mosaic Brands’ warehouses at least 20 days, and in some cases more than 40 days, after the purchase date.
“The ACCC has received hundreds of complaints about Mosaic Brands in relation to delivery delays,” ACCC Commissioner Liza Carver said.
“Excessively late deliveries can be incredibly frustrating and inconvenient for consumers, especially if they decided to buy goods for a special occasion, such as Christmas, based on the advertised delivery times which were not met,” Ms Carver said.
“Consumer issues in domestic supply chains is a current ACCC enforcement priority.”
The ACCC also alleges that between 23 September 2021 and at least 23 October 2022, Mosaic Brands misrepresented consumer guarantee rights in the terms and conditions published on eight of its brands websites, when it stated that consumers were only eligible for a refund for a faulty product if they sought the refund within six months of the purchase date.
“If you buy a product or service and discover it is faulty, not of acceptable quality or does not match its description, you are entitled to a free repair and may also be entitled to a refund or replacement. These legal rights are called ‘consumer guarantees’ under the Australian Consumer Law and they don’t have a specific expiry date,” Ms Carver said.
Under the Australian Consumer Law, consumer guarantees apply for a period of time that is considered reasonable having regard to the nature of the products or services, including the price paid.
The ACCC is seeking declarations, injunctions and penalties, as well as costs and other orders, including that Mosaic Brands implement a consumer law compliance program.
Background
Mosaic Brands is a publicly listed company that specialises in women’s fashion. It has approximately 7.8 million online members and operates around 804 stores across the country.
Mosaic Brands has previously paid a total of $896,400 in penalties following the ACCC issuing it with infringement notices in May 2021 and September 2022.
FAQs
Women's fashionwear chain owner, Mosaic Brands (ASX:MOZ), has joined the emerging list of retailers (including KMD and City Chic) confessing to weak trading and possible or actual losses ahead of the end of their 2023-24 financial years.
Who owns Noni B and Katies? ›
Mosaic Brands owns a number of popular brands, including Noni B, Rivers, Katies, Rockmans, Millers, Autograph, Beme, Crossroads and W. Lane.
What brands does Mosaic own? ›
Mosaic Brands Limited is an Australian fashion retail company. It operates 715 stores across Australia under the brands Millers, Rockmans, Noni B, Rivers, Katies, Autograph, Crossroads, W. Lane and Beme. The company's core market is women over the age of 50.
Is noni b closing down in Australia? ›
All stores to close at Rockmans, Noni B, Millers, Rivers, Katies, Autograph, W. Lane, Crossroads. Update: While these closures were temporary as a response to COVID-19 restrictions, Mosaic Brands has since flagged plans to close down 300-500 stores for good.
What is mosaic problem? ›
Mosaicism occurs when two or more groups of cells in a person possess a different genetic makeup. As a mosaicism example, a person might possess some cells that have 46 chromosomes while other cells have 47 chromosomes.
Why is mosaic so expensive? ›
Mosaic tiles are known for their intricate designs and patterns. Each tiny piece is carefully placed to create a stunning visual effect. This meticulous work takes time and precision, which means higher labor costs.
Who is the CEO of Mosaic brands? ›
What is the mission of Mosaic brands? ›
Our mission is to help our customers express their love of life, embracing the truth that every occasion is a special occasion worth feeling fabulous for.
What brands are katies? ›
Our brands include Noni B, Rockmans, W. Lane, Beme and the recently acquired Millers, Katies, Crossroads, Autograph and Rivers. We span the country with over 1,350 stores nationally and employ over 2,000 team members across the group.
Is Mosaic an ethical company? ›
Mosaic's Principles: We are responsible, innovative, collaborative and driven. Corruption, in any form, is against our principles. It harms our people, our Company and our reputation. Bribes, kickbacks and facilitation payments are all forms of corruption and expressly forbidden.
The Mosaic Company has announced that Joc O'Rourke intends to retire and that Mosaic's Board of Directors has unanimously elected Bruce Bodine, currently SVP - North America, to succeed Mr. O'Rourke as the Company's Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2024.
What does the Mosaic company do? ›
Mosaic is the world's leading producer of concentrated phosphate and potash – essential minerals in crop nutrients that help farmers around the world produce more food per acre.
Are Mosaic Brands in trouble? ›
Mosaic Brands is facing legal action for allegedly breaching the Australian Consumer Law by failing to deliver “several hundred thousand products” to its customers within advertised timeframes.
Is noni b for older ladies? ›
Kindl and his family have made a small fortune selling sensible - yet stylish - clothes to women in an older demographic through their chain of more than 190 Noni B stores.
Who owns autograph clothing? ›
Mosaic Brands Limited is an ASX listed company (ASX: MOZ) which owns nine Australian clothing brands: Autograph Fashion, Beme, Crossroads, Katies, Millers, Noni B, Rivers, Rockmans and W. Lane.
Is mosaic an ethical company? ›
Mosaic's Principles: We are responsible, innovative, collaborative and driven. Corruption, in any form, is against our principles. It harms our people, our Company and our reputation. Bribes, kickbacks and facilitation payments are all forms of corruption and expressly forbidden.
What is the problem with mosaic tiles? ›
Issue: Uneven Mosaic Tiles & Misaligned Grout Lines
This could be a result of not adequately preparing the surface or an uneven application of adhesive. Other problems include grout lines that are not equal, which creates an unsightly patchy effect.
Is mosaic environmentally friendly? ›
Mosaic has a rich history that dates thousands of years and is one of the original sustainable products. For centuries, artisans have used stone, pebbles, glass, and even shells to create low-resource, low-maintenance, high-visual-impact mosaic imagery.
