Part 8/13:
Amazon’s vast data capabilities give it a competitive edge, allowing it to identify successful products and swiftly develop similar private label versions. A notable example involved Peak Design, a manufacturer of popular camera bags, which discovered Amazon created a near-identical dupe of one of its products—prompting Amazon to remove the copy after public exposure.
Although Amazon insists it does not use seller-specific proprietary data for product development, allegations persist of anti-competitive practices, such as pricing manipulation and undercutting independent brands. The FTC has sued Amazon, claiming it punishes sellers who offer lower prices outside the platform—an accusation Amazon denies, asserting it employs standard competitive tools.