California AG Accuses Amazon of Forcing Walmart, Brands to Raise Prices
Amazon is being accused by California officials of quietly influencing prices across major retailers, raising new questions about how online costs are set.
The allegation matters now because newly unsealed court evidence claims the company didn’t just compete on price. It may have shaped prices across the market.
According to filings from Attorney General Rob Bonta, Amazon allegedly pressured brands like Levi Strauss to push retailers such as Walmart to raise prices on specific products.
The documents also claim Amazon tracked competitor pricing and penalized sellers who offered lower prices elsewhere by limiting their visibility on the platform.
Amazon denies the allegations and says its practices are designed to keep prices low for customers.
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“Amazon is working to make your life more unaffordable,” Bonta said in a statement.
The case builds on broader scrutiny of Amazon’s market power, including a 2023 federal lawsuit accusing the company of suppressing competition and inflating prices across platforms.
If proven, the allegations suggest pricing across everyday goods, from clothing to pet products, may have been influenced beyond normal competition.
A key question remains whether regulators can prove coordination between Amazon, vendors, and competing retailers.
The case is expected to move toward a July 2026 hearing and a full trial in early 2027.
For now, the claims remain contested as the legal fight escalates.
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