Market participants operating as sellers have approached the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) with a request to examine online platforms for potential restrictive conditions, according to reports from Kommersant [Kommersant].
The core grievance centers on what is being described as a price index system. In 2023, a number of marketplaces began comparing the sale prices displayed on their own sites with those seen on competing platforms and then assigning a relative price index to individual items. This index appears to fluctuate based on whether a product surfaces in search results and whether it participates in loyalty programs.
Sellers argue that such a framework creates unfavorable working conditions. They contend that price adjustments should be grounded in competitive benchmarks, noting that commissions and logistics costs can vary significantly between platforms and over time.
The FAS has indicated it will review the appeal and will raise the matter for discussion at the upcoming meeting of its expert council on IT competition development. The aim is to map out whether the price indexing approach raises concerns about fair competition or consumer welfare, and to assess potential remedies if necessary.
Earlier, complaints were submitted by Wildberries employees to the prosecutor’s office regarding working conditions, with a petition signed by 271 individuals. The volume of worker grievances adds to the broader questions about the market power of leading platforms and the balance between platform governance and fair labor practices.
There have been prior statements from the FAS highlighting concerns about the dominant positions of Wildberries and Ozon in the market, underscoring a broader regulatory focus on platform marketplaces and their impact on competition, pricing transparency, and consumer choice [Kommersant].
Industry observers note that the outcome of the FAS review could influence how platforms calibrate price signals, loyalty incentives, and search result visibility. If regulators require greater transparency in how price indices are calculated and applied, marketplaces may need to adjust their internal algorithms and reporting practices to align with competition rules while preserving a viable business model. The discussions are also likely to touch on how variations in commission structures and logistics fees affect seller profitability and entry barriers for smaller merchants seeking to reach national and cross-border audiences in markets across North America.
In any case, the unfolding dialogue signals a growing regulatory interest in how platform governance, data usage, and algorithmic ranking intersect with competitive dynamics and worker welfare, especially in sectors where online marketplaces serve as primary channels for selling. Stakeholders on all sides—regulators, platform operators, and the seller community—will be watching closely to see if new guidelines or enforcement actions emerge that shape pricing practices, access to platform tools, and the balance between platform power and marketplace fairness [Kommersant].