I love buying stuffs from Amazon.fr, they offer free delivery for some products like books and CDs.
This week, Amazon.fr was fine 100,000 euros by the Bookstore Union, as this online giant didn't respect the fixed price of the books they are selling. Apparently in France, every book has a fixed price, and the most one can do is to sell the book 5% below the fixed price. Since Amazon is selling below this 5% discount, it is hurting other independent businesses. Amazon is ordered to cancel their free delivery services too.
At one point I enjoy the free delivery and cheaper book price, I don't want to see the independent bookstores go bankrupt due to this unfair competition. Amazon is basically selling at lost and get profit from somewhere else. Independent bookstores won't be able to conduct a price war with Amazon.
What... price fixing on books is legal in France ?
ReplyDeleteIn UK it was called the net book agreement and that has been unlawed about 20 years ago...
No free market on book selling in France?!
ReplyDeleteAmazon makes their profit through the volume they sell!