US Court Allows Amazon COVID Price-Gouging Lawsuit to Proceed

• A US federal court allowed a class-action lawsuit accusing Amazon of COVID-19 price gouging to move forward, rejecting Amazon's dismissal request.
• US District Judge Robert Lasnik ruled consumer claims plausible, stating pandemic conditions left shoppers with limited alternatives, compelling them to buy from Amazon.
• The lawsuit alleges Amazon failed to police third-party sellers and inflated prices on its own essential goods like food, household supplies, and medical products.
• Plaintiffs cite dramatic price increases on items such as pain relievers, toilet paper, and face masks during the pandemic.
• The ruling clears a major procedural hurdle, allowing the case seeking compensation for purchases between Jan 31, 2020, and Oct 20, 2022, to proceed.

Why It Matters: Amazon faces a significant class-action lawsuit over alleged COVID-19 price gouging after a US court ruling.