New unsealed records reveal Amazon's price-fixing tactics, California AG claims

Hundreds of previously redacted records reveal how Amazon has put pressure on independent sellers using its platform into raising their prices on the sites of competitors such as Walmart and Target, so that Amazon can appear to have lower prices, California authorities allege.

The global conglomerate became concerned even if a competitor was selling an item for as little as a penny less, according to one segment of the newly unredacted evidence. The documents include internal emails, deposition testimony and confidential corporate presentations that the California attorney general, Rob Bonta, obtained as part of a civil case launched in 2022.

In a statement, Bonta said the newly unveiled evidence reinforced his office’s claims that Amazon’s actions “unlawfully punishes sellers whose products are sold at lower prices by other online retailers”. Amazon has called the claims “entirely false and misguided,” arguing that its practices promote competition and ensure low prices for customers.

The state’s lawsuit claims that Amazon punishes vendors that offer discounts on competitor sites by taking away access to critical features like the “Buy Box.” One seller testified that his product lost the Buy Box because it was priced one cent lower on Walmart. This forced him to raise prices on other platforms to regain visibility on Amazon.

Amazon recently overtook Walmart to become the world’s largest company by revenue and accounts for over 50% of US e-commerce retail spending. The trial is currently scheduled to begin on January 19, 2027.