Will France ban some of Amazon's discounts?
France is fed up with Amazon鈥檚 discounts and free delivery policies.
And the government wants to do something about it 鈥� according to a recent article, it's looking to introduce a law that would stop the behemoth bookseller from giving buyers both free delivery and a 5 percent discount on books.
Aurelie Filippetti, the country鈥檚 minister of culture and communications, told the news channel BFM TV that the government is planning to introduce the ban. The country has a policy of outlawing discounts on books of more than 5 percent because it鈥檚 believed smaller stores would be unable to compete.
鈥淚'm in favor of ending the possibility of offering both free delivery and a five percent discount," Filippetti said. "We need a law, so we're going to find a legislative window to introduce one.鈥�
She said the problem isn鈥檛 only occurring in France.
鈥淎mazon's behavior, and the risks it poses for the survival of a whole network of book stores and the entire chain of book production, are obvious in Britain and in the United too,鈥� Filippetti said.
Book retailers鈥� union spokesperson Guillaume Husson told Reuters he considers Amazon鈥檚 policies 鈥渦nfair.鈥�
鈥淣o other book retailer, whether a small or large book or even a chain, can allow itself to lose that much money,鈥� Husson said. Amazon reportedly loses money with its combination of free delivery and a five percent discount.
