- The Federal Trade Commission is building a lawsuit against the largest American alcohol distributor, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, sources told CNBC. The suit could be filed in a matter of weeks.
- The FTC’s case would likely allege that Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits has been providing “secret kickbacks” to large retailers and violating an obscure 1936 antitrust law.
- The suit would join a wave of FTC legal actions that have become the trademark of the commission’s aggressive antitrust crackdown under President Joe Biden.
The Federal Trade Commission is preparing an antitrust lawsuit against the largest U.S. alcohol distributor, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, two sources familiar with the matter told CNBC. The suit could be filed in a matter of weeks.
The FTC’s case is not yet finalized. But one source said the commission is likely to allege that Southern Glazer’s has been providing “secret kickbacks” to large retail customers and violating the 1936 Robinson-Patman Act. Politico first reported the potential legal action.
Florida-based Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits distributes alcohol for over 7,000 brands in 44 states. Founded in 1968, the company serves as a middleman between alcohol producers and the liquor stores that consumers buy from. The company reported $26 billion in revenue in 2023, according to Forbes.
www.cnbc.com/2024/06/05/ftc-lawsuit-southern-glazers-alcohol.html