DPIIT sends retail body's complaint against quick commerce to competition regulator

DPIIT has forwarded a complaint it recieved from a retail industry body against Quick Commerce companies to the competition regulator CCI

Trade promotion body DPIIT has forwarded a complaint it received from a retail industry body against Quick Commerce companies to the competition regulator CCI, sources told CNBC-TV18 on September 20, adding that the Competition Commission can choose to take suo moto cognizance in the matter.

The retail body had complained to Commerce Ministry and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) over violations of anti-trust regulations, the source told the channel. Quick commerce companies have been accused of predatory pricing and monopolistic behaviour by the retail body, said the source.

Recently, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had raised concerns over the exponential growth of e-commerce firms in India as a “matter of concern.”

"Are we going to cause huge, social disruption with this massive growth of e commerce? I don't see it as matter of pride that half our market may become part of e commerce network 10 years from now, it is a matter of concern,” the minister had said on August 21. The minister clarified that he is “not wishing away e-commerce industry, it is here to stay", but the role of this industry needs to be shaped up in an orderly fashion.

In the race for market share, and a growing market share of 27 percent per year, the 100 million small retailers across the country who also serve should not face disruptions, Goyal had said.