Amazon could find itself facing billion dollar fines as the EU has filed charges that Amazon is guilty of competition charges which relate most specifically to its activities in both France and Germany. The EU began a detailed investigation into Amazon’s activities two years ago with specific focus on its conflicting roles as both marketplace and retailer. A further investigation continues into the potential for the preferential treatment of its own products versus those of businesses which use its marketplace and fulfilment services.
In a statement, the Commission said that it takes issue with Amazon systematically relying on non-public business data of independent sellers who sell on its marketplace, to the benefit of Amazon’s own retail business, which directly competes with those third party sellers.
As expected, Amazon rejects all claims as it could face a fine equating to up to ten per cent of its annual global revenues. An Amazon spokesperson said: “We disagree with the preliminary assertions of the European Commission and will continue to make every effort to ensure it has an accurate understanding of the facts. Amazon represents less than one per cent of the global retail market, and there are larger retailers in every country in which we operate.”
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