Shopping habits vary widely, however, and the company’s pricing strategies are commonly used, including at Walmart (WMT.N).
According to the complaint, if Amazon finds a cheaper product elsewhere, it punishes the seller by removing merchandise from the “buy box,” effectively tanking sales.
Thus, the argument goes, Amazon prevents rivals from competing on price.
Walmart, which bought Jet.com in 2016 for $3 billion, is also just as discerning when it comes to online pricing.
The agency accuses Amazon of stifling competition on price, product selection and quality, and preventing rivals from attracting a critical mass of shoppers and sellers.
Persons:
Lina Khan, Andy Jassy, Walton, Jeffrey Goldfarb, Aditya Sriwatsav
Organizations:
Reuters, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Walmart, Amazon, FTC, eBay, Amazon.com, Thomson
Locations:
United States