FTC seeks information from Amazon, Procter Gamble and others about supply chain snarls

The Federal Trade Commission is looking for information from Amazon.com Inc. AMZN, Procter Gamble Co. PG, Walmart Inc. WMT, and others about how they handle supply-chain snarls, part of a study into whether the problems have led to anticompetitive behavior and higher prices.

The FTC said in a press release that the document request isn't part of any law-enforcement action. The agency said it is looking to understand the reasons behind the widespread supply-chain problems that have hampered economic growth.

The agencies are looking for documents and information from Kroger Co., KR, C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc., Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc., McLane Co. and Kraft Heinz Co. KHC. The companies have 45 days to respond. The companies will have to explain how they are navigating the supply chain crisis, including how it has affected availability of transportation, delayed orders, and resulted in increased prices. The FTC wants to know what companies are doing to fix the problems, and how they allocate products among stores when products are scarce. Ghost kitchens are proving to be a messy business, as shown by Reef Global. The workers quit their jobs in droves to become their own boss.