[naringas]

a store (even a multi-location physical retailer) is not the same thing as a digital platform

the crucial difference is due to the digial aspect. digital "material" does not have physical contraints. this simple fact changes everything.

[andreilys]

Sure they aren't the same thing, but doesn't mean you can't manipulate the physical layout among other variables in order to push your own products at the expense of your competitors.

You also have access to sales trends for competitors, giving you a leg-up in market research (i.e. Target decides to enter Chips market because they see Lays data). I mean it's not that dissimilar to what Amazon does, it's just done in the physical world.

[gamblor956]

It's not the same as what Amazon does, not even close.

Target owns the products on its shelves so it can do with them what it wants, even give them away for free. Importantly, the product manufacturers are not its competitors because they aren't in the retail business; they are in the wholesale business of making and selling to retailers.

Amazon does not own the products in its marketplace. The sellers in the marketplace do not sell their products to Amazon. They are all sellers, like Amazon, and that is why Amazon's practices are an antitrust issue.