THE WHAT? The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating Amazon over concerns that practices affecting sellers on its UK Marketplace may be anti-competitive and could result in a worse deal for customers.
THE DETAILS Some products on Amazon Marketplace are supplied via its own retail business, however the CMA states that a large proportion are supplied by third-party sellers.
The CMA investigation will, “consider whether Amazon has a dominant position in the UK and whether it is abusing that position and distorting competition by giving an unfair advantage to its own retail business or sellers that use its services, compared to other third-party sellers on the Amazon UK Marketplace.”
It will focus on three main areas, including how Amazon collects and uses third-party seller data, how Amazon sets criteria for allocation of suppliers to be the preferred/first choice in the ‘Buy Box,’ and how Amazon sets the eligibility criteria for selling under the Prime label.
THE WHY? Sarah Cardell, General Counsel at the CMA, said, “Millions of people across the UK rely on Amazon’s services for fast delivery of all types of products at the click of a button. This is an important area so it’s right that we carefully investigate whether Amazon is using third-party data to give an unfair boost to its own retail business and whether it favours sellers who use its logistics and delivery services – both of which could weaken competition.
“Thousands of UK businesses use Amazon to sell their products and it is important they are able to operate in a competitive market. Any loss of competition is a loss to consumers and could lead to them paying more for products, being offered lower quality items or having less choice.
“A formal investigation will allow us to consider this matter properly.”
Aesthetic products generally refer to a broad category of items designed to enhance or improve one's appearance, often focusing on skincare, beauty, and personal grooming. These products are typically used to maintain or enhance physical attractiveness and may include a wide range of items intended for both professional and personal use. Here are some common types of aesthetic products:
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Skincare Products: Including cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and treatments designed to address various skin concerns such as acne, aging, hyperpigmentation, and sensitivity.
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Cosmetics: Makeup products such as foundations, concealers, eyeliners, lipsticks, and eyeshadows used to enhance facial features and achieve desired looks.
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Hair Care Products: Shampoos, conditioners, styling products, and treatments to maintain and improve the health and appearance of hair.
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Fragrances: Perfumes and colognes used to enhance personal scent and attractiveness.
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Dental Care Products: Toothpaste, mouthwash, whitening treatments, and dental floss aimed at maintaining oral hygiene and enhancing smile aesthetics.
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Personal Grooming Tools: Including razors, electric shavers, trimmers, and grooming kits used for hair removal and personal hygiene.
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Beauty Devices: Devices such as facial cleansing brushes, LED light therapy masks, and microcurrent devices designed for at-home skincare treatments.
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Nutritional Supplements: Supplements aimed at promoting skin health, hair growth, and overall well-being, often containing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
