Lacoste controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Lacoste Named Among Brands in Suspected Counterfeit Goods Case
Fine or penalty
Sneaker Freakz owner Nathaniel Petersen paid a R100,000 admission-of-guilt fine following a Hawks investigation into the alleged sale of counterfeit Adidas and Nike sneakers and Lacoste T-shirts. The merchandise was suspected of being counterfeit; the article does not report a determination that the brands themselves committed wrongdoing.
Source excerpt
Nathaniel Petersen, 40, paid the admission-of-guilt fine on October 23 following a Hawks investigation into the alleged sale of fake Adidas and Nike sneakers and Lacoste T-shirts at his business, Sneaker Freakz.
2022
Criticism over Russian operations
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, advocacy organizations criticized Lacoste for continuing operations in the Russian market and argued that its presence could support the Russian economy.
2020
Xinjiang labor-supply-chain allegations
A report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute listed Lacoste among brands allegedly exposed to forced-labor risks connected with Xinjiang supply chains. Lacoste later said it would stop activity with suppliers and subcontractors in the region.
2011
Dirty Laundry environmental allegations
Greenpeace reported that facilities linked to suppliers used by Lacoste and other brands discharged hazardous and persistent chemicals into Chinese river systems. The report associated the named facilities with risks involving hormone-disrupting substances and other pollutants.
2011
Larissa Sansour and the Lacoste Élysée prize
Lacoste was accused of objecting to Palestinian artist Larissa Sansour’s shortlisted work, Nation Estate, and asking for her removal from the competition. The Musée de l’Élysée ended the sponsorship relationship, citing artistic freedom.