California's attorney general says internal emails show "Amazon is working to make your life more unaffordable." Newly unsealed court filings allege the company worked with suppliers to nudge prices higher at rival retailers—moves prosecutors say keep Amazon looking cheap while blocking real price competition, per the Guardian. In one example, Amazon allegedly raised the price of certain dog treats, then urged the manufacturer to make sure retailer Chewy followed suit, with a vendor email later celebrating that the price "immediately went up on Chewy."
In another example, Amazon allegedly flagged Walmart's $25 Dockers to Levi's, per Business Insider. Levi's then assured Amazon that Walmart had "partnered with us" to boost the price to $29.99. Though that was a few dollars higher than Amazon's posted price, Amazon allegedly went higher, too, per the Guardian. In a third example, Amazon allegedly ordered Hanes to pressure Target and Walmart to raise prices for items that were being sold at a cheaper price than Amazon offered, per CNBC.
Attorney General Rob Bonta calls the evidence proof the company is "price fixing, colluding with vendors and other retailers to raise costs for Americans beyond what the market requires—beyond what is fair." His filing also mentions retailers Home Depot and Best Buy, per Business Insider. Amazon counters that the filing is a late, weak attempt to bolster the state's 2022 antitrust suit, and says it's proud to be "America's lowest-priced online retailer." The case is set for trial next January.
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