Hermès, the French luxury house, faces escalating legal challenges as American shoppers broaden their class action lawsuit accusing the company of antitrust violations. The iconic brand, famed for its Birkin bags, is under fire for allegedly coercing customers into purchasing additional Hermès products before obtaining the coveted handbags.

Originally filed on March 19, 2024, by plaintiffs Tina Cavalleri and Mark Glinoga, the lawsuit alleges that Hermès breaches federal antitrust and state unfair competition laws by enforcing a “sufficient purchase history” prerequisite. This means buyers need to have substantial past purchases of ancillary Hermès products such as shoes, scarves, and jewelry to access a Birkin bag, a practice the plaintiffs denounce as tying—a potentially anti-competitive tactic.

The controversy centers on the exclusivity and scarcity tactics used by Hermès, which have caused significant uproar among luxury shoppers. Reports indicate that barriers extend beyond price, making Birkin bags accessible only to those willing…