Amazon.com Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AMZN) Price Check app has been accused of taking business away from local stores, angering retailers.
According to?SunSentinel.com, the Android (NASDAQ:GOOG) and iPhone (NASDAQ:AAPL) apps encourages users to visit local stores for items and then compare the prices to Amazon’s. The online site is offering 5% discounts/up to $5 to the users on Dec. 9 and 10 if they review the local store prices.
The Retail Industry Leaders Association is up in arms about the promotion for Florida retailers. Jason Brewer, a spokesperson for the association said,?��Every Florida retailer has the ability to match or beat a price, but Florida retailers can��t compete against a company like Amazon that��s given special treatment in the tax code.��
He added,?��The holiday season is make or break for thousands of Florida retailers, and the unfair advantage being given to Amazon could drive some of them out of business. With them go jobs, community investment and lost tax revenue.��
Amazon hopes the app will drive additional online buyers away from the more than 95% of U.S. consumers who continue shopping in stores, according to Bloomberg. The company has explained that the?app?is for customers comparing prices in ��major�� retail chain stores and third-party seller prices.
The large online retailer also said,?��The goal of the Price Check app is to make it as easy as possible for customers to access product information, pricing information, and customer reviews, just as they would on the Web.��
To use the app, shoppers can find the item and then compare prices to Amazon as well as other retailers. Users can scan an item’s barcode, take a picture, say its name or search for price through the product’s name.
Purchases can also be made through the app.
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