02:46 PM EDT, 06/06/2024 (MT Newswires) -- A UK trade body representing British retailers said Thursday it would file a 1 billion pound ($1.28 billion) lawsuit against Amazon.com ( AMZN ) for allegedly misusing retailers' data for its own benefit.

The British Independent Retailers Association claimed that, since October 2015, Amazon ( AMZN ) used the data of retailers selling on its UK marketplace to "engage in a product entry strategy that resulted in sales revenue and profits being diverted from these retailers to Amazon ( AMZN )."

Bira also accused Amazon ( AMZN ) of "manipulating" the Buy Box feature on its website to benefit its commercial operation.

According to Bira, the data being used was non-public and confidential and helped Amazon ( AMZN ) decide whether to enter a new product segment based on its earnings and sales potential.

The trade association added that UK businesses were unaware that Amazon ( AMZN ) was "illegally using their data to benefit its own retail operation."

Bira said the lawsuit will be filed on behalf of retailers at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London.

"The filing of the claim today is the first step towards retailers obtaining compensation for what Amazon ( AMZN ) has done. I am confident that the CAT will authorize the claim to go forward, and I look forward to the opportunity to present the case on behalf of UK retailers," Bira Chief Executive Andrew Goodacre said in a statement.

The trade body has hired Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP to lead its case which will be funded by Litigation Capital Management.

Amazon ( AMZN ) did not immediately respond to a request for comment from MT Newswires.

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