SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has imposed
fines totaling 10.7 million euros on two Amazon group companies, Amazon Services
Europe and Amazon EU, for alleged unfair commercial practices.

The investigation centers around Amazon's 'Subscribe and Save' option, which
allows customers to establish recurring deliveries of frequently purchased
items.

According to the complaint, Amazon is automatically selecting the recurring
purchase option for a broad range of products listed on its Italian platform.

Amazon's Subscribe and Save program offers several benefits, including free
shipping, discounted packaging, and the convenience of scheduled deliveries for
eligible products. Customers can easily subscribe to receive regular deliveries
of the products they frequently use, with discounts ranging from 5% to 15% based
on the number of subscriptions.

The Italian watchdog argues that this practice 'substantially limits consumer
choice,' as consumers are more likely to opt for recurring deliveries rather
than one-time purchases.

'The automatic selection of recurring purchases encourages individuals to buy a
product periodically-even when not strictly necessary-thus impeding their
freedom of choice,' stated the antitrust body.

In response, Amazon Italy defended its 'Subscribe and Save' feature, stating
that it is 'intended to assist customers in saving time and money on recurring
deliveries.'

The company pointed out that since its introduction in Italy, 'Amazon customers
have collectively saved over ¤40 million through Subscribe and Save orders.'



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