‘Back off from petty war or pay up’: Traders body shoots off hard-hitting letter to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos

Fast-moving consumer goods traders and distributors have urged Amazon founder and outgoing chief executive officer Jeff Bezos to not block the Reliance Retail and Future Group deal, saying the uncertainty had left them in a dire financial situation.

In an open letter, the All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPD) and Public Response Against Helplessness and Action for Redressal, an NGO,  have said Amazon's " unwarranted adventurism" had caused suffering to traders and their families in India.

The two groups represent more nearly 10 lakh distributors, stockists and suppliers of FMCG goods across India. The letter said, more than 6,000 small vendors and suppliers had Rs 6,000 crore worth of dues pending with the Future Group since March 2020.

"While you continue with your great game of world domination, we have become what is called 'collateral damage'. Payments of our members are blocked. Our families are in great financial stress and suffering from mental and emotional distress," the letter said.