Thank you for contacting me about Amazon.
I understand that in July 2019 the European Commission launched an antitrust investigation into possible anti-competitive conduct by Amazon. The Commission set out to look into the standard agreements between Amazon and marketplace sellers, and the role of data in the selection of its “Buy Box” listings.
In November 2020, the Commission published its Statement of Objections to Amazon which informed Amazon of its preliminary view that it has breached EU antitrust rules by distorting competition in online retail markets. In addition, the Commission launched a second formal antitrust investigation into the possible preferential treatment of Amazon's own retail offers and those of marketplace sellers that use Amazon's logistics and delivery services.
Although the UK has left the European Union, the UK will only cease to be part of the EU competition system from 1 January 2021. At this point, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will have sole jurisdiction over investigating mergers and cases of anti-competitive conduct. Therefore, it is not necessary or appropriate for the CMA to investigate Amazon while the European Commission investigation is ongoing. However, Ministers have made clear that the CMA will work with the European Commission during this investigation.
If a business feels that Amazon or any other company is using anti-competitive tactics or behaviour, they should report it to the CMA.
