CAIT files objection petition against Walmart-Flipkart deal at CCI

New Delhi, May 28 (KNN) The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has filed an objection petition at Competition Commission of India (CCI) against the Walmart-Flipkart deal alleging the deal would create unfair competition for domestic players especially the small traders.

The traders’ apex body said the deal would deny market access to non-preferred sellers and impact small traders on offline platform. 

"The merger of two companies will create an unfair competition and uneven level playing field and will indulge in predatory pricing, deep discounts and loss funding," CAIT said adding that Flipkart is a combination of exclusive tie-ups and preferential sellers, where even online vendors face discriminatory conditions.

Walmart, it said, would sell its inventory on the platform of flipkart.com either directly or through a web of associated preferred sellers.

"This will create an unhealthy competition much to the disadvantage of both offline and online sellers," CAIT said, adding that this transaction would result in vertical integration which no other player in India would have.

"The complainant apprehends that the deal is bound to circumvent established laws and FDI (foreign direct investment) policy of the government since the ultimate object of Walmart is to enter the retail trade of the country and in the absence of any policy on e-commerce or retail trade, it would be easy for them to reach out to retail market," it added.

Walmart Inc had announced the acquisition of 77 per cent stake in Flipkart for about USD 16 billion (Rs 1.05 lakh crore) earlier this month.