‘Big Brother’ Amazon targeted in fight with Ambani over retailer

The stakes are high for both Amazon and Reliance. Securing Future’s assets will give Reliance, already India’s biggest retailer, an unparalleled edge in a market where most of the consumers still prefer shopping in stores. That’s an advantage Amazon is not willing to cede. — Reuters

A battle between Amazon.com Inc and Reliance Industries Ltd to dominate India’s US$1 trillion (RM4.08 trillion) consumer market is stoking nationalist rhetoric in a courtroom and outside, as the two companies tussle over the future of a distressed local retailer.

At the center of the case is Amazon’s efforts to block Reliance’s planned purchase of Future Group’s assets, saying the Indian retailer violated a contract by agreeing to a sale to a rival controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani. The Delhi High Court is now weighing if the US e-commerce giant has any legal basis to object to the transaction and a ruling is expected in weeks.