Turns out a trip to the gym is better for your rear end than a stroll in some goofy looking sneakers.
Shocking, I know.
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today a $45 million settlement with Skechers footwear regarding deceptive trade practices.
A release from Suthers’ office said:
According to the complaint, Sketchers made health-related claims in marketing and advertising its line of rocker-bottom shoe products, including Shape-ups, Tone-ups and the Skechers Resistance Runner, but could not substantiate the claims with competent and reliable scientific evidence. Sketchers did not admit to wrongdoing as part of the settlement, but agreed that its future advertisements would be supported by scientific evidence.
Skechers agreed to pay the money, but didn’t admit any wrong doing.
When Skechers unveiled the shoes a few years ago, the marketing campaign included commercials with sports legends Joe Montana and Wayne Gretzky as well as reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
Some of the cash will be split between the 45 states named in the suit and $40 million of it will be set aside in a consumer redress fund, which will be administered by the FTC. The AG said consumers who think they were misled by the advertising can file claims online at www.ftc.gov/skechers or can call a toll-free number, 866-325-4186. Consumers affected by the settlement can expect to receive approximately $20 for each pair of shoes purchased, the statement said.