J. Peterman, the Retailer Made Famous by ‘Seinfeld,’ Has Shut Down After Legal Complaints Over Orders and Refunds

The company behind an iconic brand appears to have ceased operations after years of losses.

John O’Hurley as J. Peterman in Seinfeld. Photo:

J. Peterman, an American retail company known for its catalog enterprise, has shut down following a recent lawsuit from Ohio’s Attorney General. 

The complaint filed last month claims the company, which is also known as J.P. Outfitters, violated multiple consumer protection laws, including failing to deliver orders, failing to provide refunds for canceled orders or returned merchandise, denying refunds contrary to the company’s own policy, and making it difficult or impossible for customers to communicate with customer service. 

As first the websites run by J

As first the websites run by J. Peterman and its companion brand Territory Ahead are currently inoperative, with a page that reads, “this store is not currently taking orders.” According to the August 17 filing by Ohio Attorney General Andrew Wilson, J. Peterman’s “retail business is no longer in operation.”

A spokesperson for Ohio’s Attorney General did not immediately respond to Inc.’s request for comment.

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Retail collapse

The company, which was founded in 1987, has had a long-lasting impact on fashion and culture. John Peterman, a former minor league baseball player, launched the business by placing an ad in The New Yorkerselling coats. After seeing interest rise, the J. Peterman catalog launched in 1988, starting with black and white drawings, before moving to colored sketches.  

According to Retail Dive, in 1989, the company

According to Retail Dive, in 1989, the company did $4.8 million in sales. Just one year later, that number increased to $20 million.

The company gained major notoriety in the mid-1990s when Seinfeld created a caricature of J. Peterman, making the fashion businessman look like an eccentric fictional character. 

Source: www.inc.com