Reebok has agreed to pay $25 million in refunds to customers who purchased its EasyTone and RunTone shoes and flip-flops.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accused Reebok of misleading customers with a recent advertising campaign that claimed its toning shoes could strengthen muscles.
The company said the shoes’ technology meant that they could strengthen hamstrings and calves by up to 11 percent more than regular trainers and tone buttocks by a further 28 percent.
READ OTHER TOP STORIES IN THE WDM CONTENT NETWORK:
Does Marks and Spencer need a makeover?
Mobile Shopping: Hottest trend of the decade
Homeshop18 launches its next generation e-commerce portal
Americans didn't stop splurging after the holidays
Does Marks and Spencer need a makeover?
Mobile Shopping: Hottest trend of the decade
Homeshop18 launches its next generation e-commerce portal
Americans didn't stop splurging after the holidays
FTC argued that the company could not support these claims.
"Marketing campaigns, no matter how clever, sexy or funny, must start and must stick with product claims that are substantiated," said David Vladeck, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection in a statement.
However Adidas, which owns Reebok, is standing by its convictions and said it will carry out new tests to validate the shoe’s health claims.
"Settling does not mean we agree with the FTC's allegations; we do not," said Reebok in a statement.
"We have received overwhelmingly enthusiastic feedback from thousands of EasyTone customers, and we remain committed to the further development of our EasyTone line of products," it added.
