Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has issued a warning to two major online marketplaces, Ozon and Wildberries, demanding that they establish a transparent, voluntary, and predictable system for involving sellers in promotional campaigns, including automatic sales events.
Ozon and Wildberries, which are among Russia's largest e-commerce platforms, recently modified their terms for such promotions. These changes allowed products to be sold at discounted prices and automatically included in sale categories without the prior consent of sellers. According to FAS, this practice undermines the rights of sellers, preventing them from controlling the pricing of their own products.
The warning from the Russian antitrust authority is aimed at ensuring that sellers’ participation in these promotions, particularly automatic ones, will only take place with their explicit consent.
Both Ozon and Wildberries have until February 28, 2025, to develop a clear system for seller participation in these discount events and inform FAS of the changes. If the companies fail to comply within this deadline, FAS will initiate cases for violations of antitrust laws.
Ozon is often referred to as "the Amazon of Russia," offering a wide range of products, from electronics to groceries. Wildberries is the largest e-commerce platform in Russia, known for selling everything from fashion to household goods, and serves millions of customers across the country.
Source: FAS
