Japan’s Honest Commerce Fee has carried out a raid on Amazon over antitrust considerations. “There’s a suspicion that Amazon Japan is forcing sellers to chop costs in an irrational means,” an unnamed supply advised Reuters.
Amazon Japan obtained an on-site inspection by the regulator right now to discover whether or not the retailer offers higher product placement in search outcomes to sellers who supply decrease costs. Extra reporting in The Japan Times steered that this inquiry is targeted on Amazon’s Purchase Field program, which places advisable objects extra prominently in entrance of web shoppers. The publication mentioned that along with demanding “aggressive pricing,” sellers have been allegedly required to make use of Amazon’s in-house providers, akin to these for logistics and cost assortment, to qualify for Purchase Field placement.
The Japanese FTC has not launched an official assertion concerning the inquiry. Amazon Japan’s remark to Engadget on the scenario states, “We’re cooperating absolutely with the authorities.”
Amazon has additionally been questioned about anti-competitive conduct around the globe. Stateside, each the Fair Trade Commission and the Attorney General of Washington DC have raised related considerations about Amazon’s practices. The corporate can also be anticipated to face an antitrust investigation within the European Union subsequent yr.
Replace, November 26, 2024, 6:17PM ET: Up to date so as to add remark from Amazon Japan.
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