Unsealed Records Show Amazon Pressured Sellers to Raise Prices on Competing Sites, California AG Claims

Hundreds of previously redacted documents reveal Amazon pressured independent sellers to raise prices on competing sites like Walmart and Target, according to California authorities. The California attorney general's office alleges Amazon used automated tools to track vendor prices on competitor sites, then leveraged its market position to ensure those prices didn't fall below Amazon's listings. When sellers offered lower prices elsewhere, Amazon allegedly suppressed their products by removing access to its "Buy Box" feature. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the newly unveiled evidence supports claims that Amazon "unlawfully punishes sellers whose products are sold at lower prices by other online retailers." The state filed its civil lawsuit against Amazon in 2022. One deposition reveals a clothing company owner testified Amazon suppressed his toddler pajama set because it was priced one cent higher on Amazon than on Walmart. After losing the Buy Box feature, his company changed pricing on Walmart to match or exceed Amazon's price. Another vendor testified sales dropped significantly when products lost Amazon's Buy Box due to lower prices elsewhere. This forced him to raise prices with other retailers to regain the feature on Amazon. Amazon called the claims "entirely false and misguided," stating it works to ensure customers see competitively priced offers. The company said it doesn't highlight offers that aren't competitively priced as part of its commitment to low prices. The trial in California's lawsuit against Amazon is scheduled to begin in January 2027. Amazon recently overtook Walmart to become the world's largest company by revenue.