The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit on Jan. 17 accusing PepsiCo of illegal price discrimination under the Robinson-Patman Act (RPA), accusing the global food and beverage company of granting a favored big box retailer special discounts and promotional benefits while charging higher prices to competing stores.
According to the FTC, Pepsi’s alleged practices forced some retailers to raise prices, leaving consumers to bear the burden.
“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,” outgoing FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said.
This is the agency’s latest enforcement move under the Robinson-Patman Act, which the FTC says seeks to prevent manufacturers from offering preferential treatment to select buyers….