Suit Alleges Wal-Mart Is Selling Rejected Products

John Paul Mitchell Systems Inc. in Saugus has sued Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the nation’s largest retailer, alleging that Wal-Mart is selling substandard and unauthorized supplies of Mitchell Systems’ Paul Mitchell beauty products.

The suit, filed in federal court in Austin, Tex., claims that a former supplier sold Wal-Mart some beauty products that Mitchell Systems had rejected because of poor quality. Mitchell Systems sells hair-care and skin-care products.

Mitchell Systems alleged that Wal-Mart is selling the unauthorized goods under the Paul Mitchell name, and it asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order blocking the retailer from selling the products.

Officials at Wal-Mart’s Bentonville, Ark., headquarters did not immediately return calls requesting comment.