On 14th August, a spokesman for Boots commented: “We do stock Dermalogica products in a small number of our stores and on Boots.com so as to offer our customers the most comprehensive range of skin care products on the high street. Buying products via other reputable suppliers is legal however it is our preference to deal with the brand owners direct where possible. We are keen to forge a relationship with Dermalogica, however so far our attempts have not been reciprocated.”

After being notified that Boots were stocking their products Dermalogica immediately reacted by setting up a telephone hotline and offering a £500 reward for information leading to the source. Dermalogica also placed a notice in the Daily Mail which appeared 1 September 2009, which stated that Boots is not one of their 7,000 authorised stockists.

Glen Poy, Dermalogica UK general manager said: “Despite numerous approaches by Boots over many years, Boots is not an authorised reseller of Dermalogica and its staff has not been trained by Dermalogica in the correct use of the line. Dermalogica has steadfastly refused to supply Boots, and continues to refuse to do so. Our zero-tolerance policy will be exercised against any authorised account found to be supplying Boots or other unauthorised reseller of Dermalogica products.”