Legal Definitions - soft goods

In legal and commercial contexts, soft goods refer to tangible, movable items that are primarily made from textiles, fabrics, or other pliable materials. These goods are distinct from "hard goods," which are typically rigid, durable, and often constructed from materials like metal, wood, or plastic. Soft goods are a category of personal property or merchandise that can be bought, sold, or used.

• Example 1: Retail Inventory

  A large home furnishings store maintains an extensive inventory that includes various types of soft goods. This would encompass items like decorative throw pillows, bath towels, duvet covers, and window curtains. When the store conducts an inventory count or assesses the value of its stock for insurance purposes, these textile-based products are categorized as soft goods.

  This illustrates the term because these items are all made from fabric, are flexible, and are distinct from the store's "hard goods" inventory, such as wooden tables or metal lamps.

• Example 2: Manufacturing and Supply Chain

  A company that manufactures athletic apparel sources large quantities of specialized moisture-wicking fabrics, elastic bands, and sewing threads from various suppliers. These raw materials, before being assembled into finished garments, are considered soft goods within the manufacturing supply chain.

  This demonstrates the term by showing that even raw textile materials, which are pliable and fabric-based, fall under the definition of soft goods as they move through production processes.

• Example 3: Estate Planning and Valuation

  When an individual's estate is being valued for probate, the executor must categorize and appraise all personal property. Among the household contents, items such as antique tapestries, a collection of vintage silk scarves, and all the upholstered furniture would be classified as soft goods. This classification helps in organizing the estate's assets and determining their collective value.

  This example highlights how the term applies to personal possessions, distinguishing flexible, fabric-based items from other types of property like jewelry (often hard goods) or real estate.