Competition Markets Authority
Case timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 26 July 2023 to 1 September 2023 | Commitments consultation period |
| 26 July 2023 | Consultation opened on commitments proposed by Amazon |
| January 2023 to July 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 |
Consultation on commitments
26 July 2023: The CMA published a notice of intention to accept commitments offered by Amazon and invited representations from interested third parties on the proposed commitments. The CMA will consider any representations made in response to the consultation before making a final decision on whether or not to accept the proposed commitments.
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Consultation on proposed commitments in respect of Amazons UK Marketplace (26.7.23)
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Press release: Amazon offers to change Marketplace rules to address CMA concerns (26.7.23)
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
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Assistant Director: Eren Kilich (020 3738 6887, eren.kilich@cma.gov.uk)
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Director: Brian Jackson (020 3738 6546, brian.jackson@cma.gov.uk)
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Senior Responsible Officer: Ann Pope (020 3738 6786, ann.pope@cma.gov.uk)