Several Amazon executives discussed jettisoning its in-house brands to avoid regulatory action in the U.S. and abroad, sources told Recode and The Wall Street Journal. The company has already started cutting the items it sells under the brands due to weak sales. A spokesperson said Amazon has not “seriously considered” shutting them down and continues to invest in the area.  (Recode, The Wall Street Journal)

Talking point: Amazon sells everything from kitchenware to clothes to furniture through its private-label brands, which include Amazon Basics and Amazon Essentials. The e-commerce giant has been accused of using data from independent sellers to develop rival products and favouring its own merchandise on its platform, making it the target of antitrust investigations. The company offered to settle a competition case with the EU Commission earlier this week, saying it would restrict the use of “non-public” seller data and make changes to its Prime service. Another investigation by Canada’s Competition Bureau, launched in August 2020, is ongoing.