Polish E-Commerce Battle Escalates: Erli Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Allegro Over Pricing Practices
GDANSK, Poland – A legal clash is intensifying in Poland's bustling e-commerce sector. On Monday, the domestic platform Erli announced it has filed an antitrust lawsuit against market leader Allegro, accusing it of leveraging its dominant position to distort competition across the online retail landscape.
In its statement, Erli alleges that Allegro's seller incentive programs are designed to penalize merchants who offer lower prices on other platforms, including Erli's own. According to the lawsuit, benefits such as co-financed discounts or promotional advertising are withdrawn from sellers if they list products cheaper elsewhere, effectively forcing them to raise prices off Allegro's marketplace to retain crucial support.
"This isn't about voluntary benefits; it's about coercion that harms consumers and stifles fair competition," an Erli spokesperson stated. "Allegro's practices artificially inflate prices across the entire Polish e-market, limiting choice and keeping costs high."
Allegro, which commands a significant share of Poland's online shopping traffic, swiftly rejected the claims. In a statement to Reuters, the company defended its programs as entirely optional tools designed to help sellers boost sales on its platform.
"We strongly disagree with Erli's position," said Allegro spokesperson Marcin Gruszka. "We do not impose any specific pricing policy on our partners. Each seller is free to set their own prices in any sales channel. Our promotional programs are popular, voluntary support mechanisms that thousands of businesses choose to use."
The lawsuit highlights growing tensions in Central Europe's digital economy, where regulators are increasingly scrutinizing the conduct of dominant tech platforms. A ruling against Allegro could set a precedent for how marketplaces manage seller relationships and influence cross-platform pricing.
Industry Voices React
"This case cuts to the heart of platform power," says Katarzyna Nowak, a Warsaw-based retail analyst. "If proven, these allegations suggest a 'most-favored-nation' style effect, which regulators in other jurisdictions have challenged. It could trigger a wider review of marketplace terms in the region."
Jan Kowalski, a small electronics seller who operates on both platforms, offers a pragmatic view: "Allegro's promotions drive huge volume, so losing them hurts. Yes, I think twice before undercutting my Allegro price on Erli. But that's business—you follow the traffic and the incentives. Calling it 'punishment' might be too strong."
In contrast, Agnieszka Zielińska, a consumer rights advocate, reacted sharply: "This is blatant market abuse disguised as a 'benefit program.' Allegro is using its gatekeeper position to tax the entire Polish internet, forcing families to pay more just to protect its monopoly. It's predatory and regulators must act decisively."
The case is now before a Warsaw court, with potential implications for pricing, competition, and the strategic balance of power in one of Europe's fastest-growing online markets.
(Reporting by Alicja Surdy; Additional reporting by Marta Maciag; Edited by Milla Nissi-Prussak. Background context and analyst commentary added.)