China's fines e-commerce firms for irregular pricing

China's market regulator had fined e-commerce giant JD, Alibaba Group's business-to-customer platform Tmall, and discount e-retailer Vip.com $76,650 each for irregular pricing.

The State Administration for Market Regulation said it received consumer complaints about these companies' pricing strategies, such as inducing consumers to make transactions during the Nov 11 Singles Day online shopping carnivals, raising the price first and then offering discounts, and false promotion.

The move came after the authority launched an investigation last week into Alibaba for alleged monopolistic conduct, which refers to forcing merchants to sell on Alibaba's platforms exclusively and preventing them from selling on rival e-commerce websites.

One of the complaints against Tmall was for launching a large-scale promotion campaign starting from Nov. 14 selling Master Kong instant noodles at 12.5 yuan, but the price was the same as that on Nov 12 and Nov 13.

Another example was JD's offer of a discount on Nov 3. for Vinda toilet paper at 79.9 yuan, but the price was cheaper at 77.9 yuan on Nov 2.

Vip.com sold Apple laptops 7,999 yuan, supposedly the lowest price among all e-retailers, but could not provide documents to support the claim.