FTC sues PepsiCo, alleges 'rigged' soft drink competition

The Federal Trade Commission on Friday filed a lawsuit against PepsiCo, Inc., alleging the company engaged in illegal price discrimination by giving an unnamed "large, big box" retailer unfair pricing advantages, while raising prices for others.The FTC alleges Pepsi has disadvantaged retailers for years, consistently favoring one large retailer by providing its customers advantages like promotional payments, while denying those benefits to its competitors.Pepsi’s unfair practices have led to inflated prices for American families, while denying competing retailers the ability to fairly compete, violating the Robinson-Patman Act, according to the complaint.PEPSICO ADDING MORE CHIPS TO BAGS AFTER ‘SHRINKFLATION’ COMPLAINTS"When firms like Pepsi give massive retailers a leg up, it tilts the playing field against small firms and ultimately inflates prices for American consumers," FTC Chair Lina M. Khan wrote in a statement. "The FTC’s action will help ensure all grocers and other businesses—no matter the size—can get a fair shake and compete on the merits of their skill, efficiency, and talent."Under the Robinson-Patman Act, sellers are prohibited from using financial incentives to engage in price discrimination. PEPSICO LOWERS ANNUAL REVENUE FORECAST, SOFTER DEMAND AND GEOPOLITICAL TENSION WEIGHThe case comes a month after the commission sued the largest U.S. distributor of wine and spirits, Southern Glazer’s, in December 2024 – alleging it violated the same law.A substantial portion of the alleged violations were redacted, due to legal protection afforded to Pepsi and the alleged "preferred" retailer, according to a statement from the FTC.The commission said it is in the process of attempting to get the redacted information lifted."Until Pepsi’s conduct is remedied, Pepsi’s anticompetitive actions will continue to create an uneven playing field by denying competing retailers, which include family-owned neighborhood grocery stores, the chance to fairly compete against Pepsi’s favored large, big box retailer customer," according to the statement.Pepsi and Walmart, who other outlets reported is the favored competitor, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei FOX Business Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei FOX Business