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US: Amazon exec weighs in on proposed Staples-Office Depot merger

By  |  March 23, 2016

An executive with Amazon.com unit that sells office supplies to businesses gave testimony on Tuesday that appeared to bolster a U.S. regulator’s wariness over a potential merger of Staples and Office Depot Inc (ODP.O).

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit last year to block the proposed $6.3 billion acquisition of Office Depot by Staples, arguing that it would hurt competition and lead to higher prices for consumers.

A federal judge is considering whether to issue a preliminary injunction to block the deal. The decision will depend in part on whether Amazon is perceived as a potential big player in the office supply business.

The Amazon executive will be cross-examined by lawyers for Staples on Wednesday.

Full content: Sun Sentinel

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