Amazon Pressured Levi Strauss to Raise Khaki Pant Prices from $25.47 to $29.99
Court filings reveal Amazon pressured Levi Strauss to lobby Walmart into raising prices on Easy Khaki Classic pants from about $25.47–$26.99 back up to $29.99. The evidence, cited in California AG Rob Bonta’s injunction motion, highlights Levi Strauss’ role in a dozen pricing agreements allegedly designed to inflate retail costs.
1. Allegations in Price-Fixing Case
California AG seeks an injunction citing court filings that Amazon, leveraging market power, asked Levi Strauss to pressure Walmart into raising the price of Easy Khaki Classic pants from $25.47–$26.99 back to $29.99, representing one of about a dozen similar incidents.
2. Levi Strauss’ Role
Emails show a Levi Strauss employee describing the khaki pants exchange as a “proof case” to resolve future pricing issues, demonstrating the company’s active cooperation in pricing discussions with Amazon and retail partners.
3. Implications for Levi
If the injunction is granted, Levi Strauss could face increased legal scrutiny and reputational damage, potentially leading to regulatory penalties or changes in vendor agreements that affect its pricing autonomy and profit margins.