Rapper Snoop Dogg and business partner Percy “Master P” Miller have filed a lawsuit in Minnesota against retail giant Walmart and cereal maker Post Foods, the New York Post reported Wednesday. .
They accused the defendants of intentionally undermining their Snoop Cereal venture, alleging sabotage by keeping their products out of sight and reach of consumers. ing. according to to the New York Post. The lawsuit centers around allegations that Walmart relegated Snoop Cereal to storage. The complaint alleges that the company intentionally coded them as “placeless” products, thereby blocking their path to store shelves.
The partnership with Post Brands was initially seen as a promising venture to distribute Snoop Cereal to major retailers such as Target and Kroger. However, the partnership soon soured. According to the New York Post, Crump said in a statement: “However, despite agreeing to the partnership, the Post has blocked Snoop Cereal from reaching consumers through deceptive practices, particularly at Walmart.'' He is said to have sabotaged the success of Serial.”
Snoop Dogg and Master P sue Walmart for 'sabotage' of Snoop Cereal by 'intentionally placing boxes in warehouse and removing from shelves' https://t.co/mhX9yRq0PY
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) February 6, 2024
The alleged deception came to light when the cereal appeared to be permanently out of stock, despite clear consumer demand following initial sales success following its July 2023 launch. It came out. An investigation revealed that Wal-Mart warehouses were stocked with cereal and had clear instructions not to display it for sale, the newspaper reported. (Related: Famous cereal brand under investigation after complaints of diarrhea, vomiting, etc.)
Mr. Broadus and Mr. Miller are pioneers who founded one of the first prominent Black-owned cereal brands with Snoop Cereal in 2022, and are champions of not only diversification of the grocery sector but also economic empowerment and minority It also aimed to create opportunities for independent food businesses. The lawsuit alleges that Walmart's exorbitant pricing of up to $10 per box and misplacement of products in unrelated store sections were part of a concerted effort to separate Broadus Foods from the competition. The New York Post pointed out that. The cereal is currently on sale for $5.99 through Amazon.
“Essentially, Snoop Dogg and Masters refused to sell Snoop Cereal all over the place, so the Post [a] “This is a sham arrangement that could potentially keep Broadus Foods out of the market and prevent Snoop Cereals from being sold or manufactured by competitors,” Crump said, according to the New York Post.
The suit reportedly seeks damages for what they call “egregious conduct,” citing breach of contract, fiduciary duty, and negligent misrepresentation. Walmart's response to the allegations was noncommittal, emphasizing the company's historic support for entrepreneurs without directly addressing the allegations. “Many factors influence sales of a particular product, including consumer demand, seasonality, and price, to name a few. Once we receive a complaint, we will respond appropriately to the court,” a spokesperson said. said. according to To billboard.
Post Brands expressed disappointment at the overwhelmingly low consumer demand for Snoop Cereal. “We were equally disappointed that consumer demand did not meet expectations.”
