European Union regulators have despatched a press release of objections to Amazon in regards to the firm’s proposed $1.7 billion acquisition of Roomba maker iRobot. In a press launch, the European Fee says that it “has informed Amazon of its preliminary view that its proposed acquisition of iRobot may restrict competition in the market for robot vacuum cleaners.”
The European Fee’s assertion of objections comes as considerably of a shock, as Reuters reported final week that the deal was set to win unconditional approval.
In its assertion of objections, the European Fee additionally says that Amazon might have the “ability and the incentive to foreclose iRobot’s rivals” by doing issues like delisting rival robotic vacuum cleaners or decreasing their visibility on the Amazon market. Amazon can now reply to the assertion of objections and request an oral listening to. The Fee will make a ultimate resolution in regards to the deal by February 14th, 2024.
“We continue to work through the process with the European Commission and are focused on addressing its questions and any identified concerns at this stage,” Amazon spokesperson Alexandra Miller says in a press release to The Verge. “iRobot, which faces intense competition from other vacuum cleaner suppliers, offers practical and inventive products. We believe Amazon can offer a company like iRobot the resources to accelerate innovation and invest in critical features while lowering prices for consumers.”