A PYMNTS Company

US: Lawmaker asks for antitrust hearing over Amazon-Whole Foods deal

By  |  July 16, 2017

The top Democrat on the US House of Representatives’ antitrust subcommittee, Rep. David Cicilline (RI), has voiced concerns about Amazon.com’s US$13.7 billion plan to buy Whole Foods Market and is pushing for a hearing to look into the deal’s impact on consumers.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    The deal announced in June marks the biggest acquisition for the world’s largest online retailer. Amazon has not said what it would do with Whole Foods’ stores and other assets, but analysts and investors worry the deal could upend the landscape for grocers, food delivery services and meal-kit companies.

    We’d love to be your preferred source for news.

    Please add us to your preferred sources list so our news, data and interviews show up in your feed. Thanks!

    Add as Preferred Source

    Mr. Cicilline requested the hearing on Thursday in a letter to the chair of the House Judiciary Committee and the subcommittee chairman.

    “Amazon’s proposed purchase of Whole Foods could impact neighborhood grocery stores and hardworking consumers across America,” the Rhode Island Democrat said in a statement. “Congress has a responsibility to fully scrutinize this merger before it goes ahead.”

    The deal must be approved by US antitrust enforcers, most likely the Federal Trade Commission.

    Full Content: Geek Wire

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.