Ann Taylor and Loft face Class Action Over “Hidden” Online Processing Fees and Alleged Drip Pricing

see an extra mandatory fee appear at the end, according to the suit. The plaintiffs argue there is no way to purchase a product on the website without paying the Fee, making it a non optional charge that should be included or clearly disclosed up front.

One California plaintiff says she bought two items from Ann Taylor in December 2025 and was charged a bundled shipping and processing fee of $8.95, while a Virginia plaintiff claims she paid a $16.95 shipping and handling fee on a Loft order in July 2025.

The Legal Theory: Drip Pricing And “Nickel And Diming” The lawsuit frames the fees as a classic drip pricing tactic: showing only part of the price at first, then adding unavoidable charges at the end of checkout so consumers face a higher total than expected.

It alleges that Premium Brands OpCo violated state consumer laws, including the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act and California Civil Code, by failing to disclose the mandatory fee in advertised prices or early checkout screens…