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Breach of contract settled between Martha Stewart and Macy’s

On Behalf of | Jan 8, 2014 | Contract Disputes |

A long-running feud between America’s foremost homemaker and one of the biggest department stores in the country has finally come to an end. Martha Stewart, known to Florida residents as the television personality embodying the spirit of creative domesticity, has settled a breach of contract dispute with mega chain Macy’s after almost three years of court battles. Terms of the settlement have not been disclosed to the general public.

According to local business news, Stewart’s company, Martha Stewart Omnimedia, has been selling her branded products at Macy’s since 2006. However, the company came to an agreement in 2011 with rival chain, J.C. Penney Co. Inc. to distribute her line of products in the Penney stores as well. According to Macy’s, this constituted a breach of the original agreement.

Several years of court battles followed, and the outstanding litigation between Macy’s and J.C. Penney has not yet been resolved. However, the issues between Stewart’s empire and the Macy’s chain have been smoothed over as of now. A press release from Macy’s confirmed the matter has been closed, and while the details of the settlement will not be released to the public, they look forward to a prosperous business relationship with the homemaking maven in the future.

This story may serve as a clear reminder to Florida business owners that no matter how much clout one entrepreneur might wield, he or she is still beholden to the rules of commerce in American society. A breach of contract is taken just as seriously on a small business scale as it is on the scale that measures the likes of Martha Stewart and Macy’s. It is vital to the success of our economic system that all contracts be honored as intended by the parties, though disputes often inevitably arise over what those written agreements actually meant in the first place.

Source: bizjournals.com, Macy’s, Martha Stewart settle breach of contract dispute, Tom Demeropolis, Jan. 2, 2014

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