The FTC said Monday it had sent information demands to Amazon as the agency delves into supply chain disruptions.
The commission is investigating "serious and ongoing hardships for consumers" as well as competitive concerns arising from issues that have delayed deliveries and raised prices ahead of the holiday season. The FTC sent letters to eight other companies in various parts of the global supply chain for goods, most of them primarily offline, including Walmart, Procter & Gamble and Kraft Heinz.
The FTC sent the letters on a bipartisan basis under powers that allow the commission to obtain information as it examines trends within or across industries. The commission said it wanted the companies to send internal documents related to strategies, pricing, marketing, profit margins and more.
The probes don't require a law enforcement purpose, though the responses can end up in competition or consumer protection probes that are the FTC's traditional focus. The commission is also investigating Amazon's competitive conduct.