GovWire

Investigation into Amazon’s Marketplace

Competition Markets Authority

January 11
11:15 2023

Case timetable

Date Action
January 2023 to March 2023 Investigation continuing
October 2022 to December 2022 Further investigation including information gathering. CMA analysis and review
5 July 2022 to September 2022 Initial investigation: information gathering, including issue of formal or informal information requests. CMA analysis and review of information gathered
5 July 2022 Investigation opened

Case information:

On 5 July 2022, the CMA launched an investigation under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 into suspected breaches of competition law by Amazon. The investigation concerns the way that non-public third-party seller data may be used within Amazons retail business, how Amazon sets criteria selecting which product offer is placed within the Buy Box and which sellers can list products under Amazons Prime label on its Marketplace in the UK.

Press release: CMA investigates Amazon over suspected anti-competitive practices (06.07.2022)

Notes:

  • The Buy Box, or Featured Offer, is displayed prominently on Amazons product pages and provides customers with one-click options to Buy Now or Add to Basket in relation to items from a specific seller.
  • Offers under the Prime label are eligible for certain delivery benefits, such as free and fast delivery, that are only available to Prime users under Amazons Prime loyalty programme.
  • The investigation is under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998.
  • The CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to any party under investigation. Not all cases result in the CMA issuing a statement of objections.
  • The CMA will consider any representations it receives before any decision is taken as to whether competition law has in fact been infringed.
  • Further detail of the CMAs procedures in Competition Act 1998 cases is available in CMA8.
  • Changes to the timing of original entries in the case timetable will be made if the estimated timing changes.

Contacts

If you are a third-party seller on Amazons Marketplace that would like to get in touch with us about our investigation, please contact us via email at amazonmarketplaceinvestigation@cma.gov.uk

Published 6 July 2022
Last updated 11 January 2023 +show all updates
  1. Update to case timetable published.

  2. Update added to case timetable.

  3. First published.

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