WASHINGTON - The American Booksellers Association asked the Justice Department’s antitrust division to investigate “predatory’’ pricing of books sold by Amazon.com Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and Target Corp.
“We ask that the Department of Justice investigate practices . . . that we believe constitute illegal predatory pricing that is damaging to the book industry and harmful to consumers,’’ nine ABA board members wrote in a letter addressed to Christine Varney, the assistant attorney general for the antitrust division.
The letter, dated Oct. 22, was posted on the website of the group, which represents independently owned US bookstores.
Target, Wal-Mart, and Amazon.com have said they would sell bestsellers for about $9.
“We are committed to providing our customers with the best possible prices,’’ a WalMart spokeswoman said. An Amazon.com spokesman didn’t respond to a request for comment. “Target is firmly committed to respecting all laws and operating in compliance with all legal and regulatory standards,’’ a Target spokeswoman said yesterday.
