CVS Store Caught Selling Unauthorized College Drinkware

A CVS store in Manhattan is being accused of selling unauthorized drinkware products with the name of the adjacent New School.

The retail store, located at 65 Fifth Ave. in New York, is at the base of the New School's University Center building, and, according to the New School Free Press, sold approved branded merchandise in 2023. This new batch of products, while identical to those sold last year, was not authorized by the university, though.

The CVS next to The New School University Center, located at 65 Fifth Ave.,
sold unauthorized TNS merchandise, including cups, mugs, and water bottles, earlier last month.The display was up on Mar. 4, before CVS was asked by TNS to remove it. https://t.co/8DTENVEVEL

— The New School Free Press (@NSFreePress) April 15, 2024

"Protecting the integrity and reputation of The New School is our primary concern," the university said, according to the New School Free Press. "The university did not authorize the sale of New School-branded cups at CVS, and the product was not affiliated with or licensed by the university. We were not aware that this product was for sale, and no money has been collected by the university."

The statement goes on to say that the school has sent notice to CVS to remove the cups, with which CVS has complied.

The boxes of drinkware products, including tumblers, mugs, and water bottles, arrived at the CVS location in February of this year in CVS-branded boxes. Last year, when the store sold officially licensed merchandise, it arrived in boxes branded by the supplier or decorator. In this case, it had been The Fanatic Group, which frequently provides licensed merchandise for colleges and universities.

The Fanatic Group currently doesn't have a licensing agreement with the New School, but its site allows for custom branded drinkware, including the 18 oz. Soft Touch Tumbler listed at $18 and sold by CVS for as high as $33.99.

The tumblers went on sale on March 4, but were taken down on April 5.