Amazon probed by US antitrust officials over marketplace

The interviews indicate the FTC is in the early stages of a sweeping probe to learn how Amazon works, spot practices that break the law and identify markets dominated by the company. — AFP

A team of US Federal Trade Commission investigators has begun interviewing small businesses that sell products on Amazon.com Inc to determine whether the e-commerce giant is using its market power to hurt competition.

Several attorneys and at least one economist have been conducting interviews that typically last about 90 minutes and cover a range of topics, according to three merchants. All were asked what percentage of revenue their businesses derive from Amazon versus other online marketplaces like Walmart Inc and EBay Inc, suggesting regulators are sceptical about Amazon’s claims that shoppers and suppliers have real alternatives to the Seattle-based company. One merchant, Jaivin Karnani, said he was surprised the FTC returned his call the very next day.