The FTC is interviewing Amazon sellers as part of antitrust probe
Antitrust officials have begun interviewing Amazon sellers to determine whether the e-commerce giant is using its market power to hurt competition.
Federal Trade Commission investigators have been conducting interviews with Amazon merchants, covering a range of topics, reports Bloomberg. All were asked what percentage of revenue their businesses derive from Amazon versus other online marketplaces like Walmart Inc. and EBay Inc. It suggests regulators are skeptical about Amazon’s claims that shoppers and suppliers have real alternatives to the Seattle-based company.
The interviews indicate the agency is in the early stages of a sweeping probe to learn how Amazon works, spot practices that break the law and identify markets dominated by the company.
The FTC is also seeking to determine the extent of Amazon’s power over its suppliers. All three merchants fielded questions on how much of their revenue comes from Amazon compared with other online platforms. Many sellers get 90% or more of their sales from Amazon, making them vulnerable to the company’s demands and abrupt, unexplained changes in its policy.
More Amazon news
Amazon will increase FBA fees in January 2022
Amazon hits sellers with fee increases in 2022 Amazon has announced its plans to increase FBA fees starting from January 18, 2022. The company justified the fee increases by claiming that it had doubled its US fulfillment capacity since the start of the pandemic,...
Nearly half of product searches start on Amazon and Ebay
Brand loyalty becomes less important to consumers Marketplaces are now a starting point in 44 percent of all product searches. This is more than twice the number of searches in search engines. In 44% of all product research, marketplaces like Amazon and eBay are the...
Amazon against shadowy marketing practices
Amazon clarifies its policy on rebates, coupons and other incentives offered outside the platform Amazon is cracking down on sellers who engage in practices that violate its Seller Code of Conduct, including the use of two-step URLs, funnels, and treasure hunts,...
