Online retailer Amazon has recently lodged an appeal with France’s highest administrative court, seeking to overturn a provision of a new law that mandates a minimum 3-euro ($3.3) delivery fee for books purchased online.
Amazon France argues that the clause, which applies to book orders below 35 euros, goes against the best interests of French consumers, especially during a time of economic concerns.
The law is scheduled to take effect in October and represents an increase from Amazon’s previous charge of a single euro cent for book deliveries in France.
Similar legislation has been previously enacted by French governments to protect local, independent bookstores from competition posed by Amazon. However, Amazon contends that such measures disproportionately affect lower-income individuals, particularly those residing in rural areas with limited access to physical bookshops.
Frederic Duval, Chief Executive of Amazon France, expressed concern stating “This measure will deal a severe blow to the budgets of French people and will limit their access to books at a time when consumers’ purchasing power is one of their main worries.”
The French Ministry of Culture has refrained from commenting on the matter.
Guillaume Husson, President of the Syndicat de la Librairie Francaise bookshops union, criticized Amazon’s appeal, suggesting that the company aims to establish a monopoly in the online book market.
