Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

FTC lawsuit claims price discrimination

AAHOA supports the effort to enforce the Robinson-Patman Act’s protection of small businesses from large corporations

FTC lawsuit claims price discrimination

THE FEDERAL TRADE Commission sued the largest U.S. wine and spirits distributor on Thursday, alleging Robinson-Patman Act violations that harmed small businesses by restricting access to discounts and rebates, limiting competition with larger chains. AAHOA supported the move, emphasizing the need for legal action to ensure a fair playing field for all businesses.

The FTC alleged that Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits LLC engaged in unlawful price discrimination by charging small, independent businesses significantly higher prices for wine and spirits than large chains, creating insurmountable advantages far beyond any actual cost efficiencies.


The Robinson-Patman Act aims to prevent price discrimination and promote fair competition, protecting small businesses from disadvantages when dealing with large corporations, AAHOA said in a statement. As a member of the Main Street Competition Coalition, the association advocates for fair business practices to promote competition and ensure a level playing field for businesses and consumers.

"We stand in full support of the FTC's lawsuit and all efforts to restore a competitive marketplace to the U.S. economy that benefits both business and consumers," said Miraj Patel, AAHOA’s chairman. "This legal action is a significant victory for small business owners who work tirelessly to contribute to the economy and create jobs, only to be undercut by discriminatory pricing that stifles their growth and success."

The FTC aims to ensure businesses of all sizes compete fairly with equal access to discounts and rebates, increasing consumer choice and enabling independent retailers to offer lower prices.

“When local businesses get squeezed because of unfair pricing practices that favor large chains, Americans see fewer choices and pay higher prices—and communities suffer,” said Lina Khan, FTC chair. “The law says that businesses of all sizes should be able to compete on a level playing field. Enforcers have ignored this mandate from Congress for decades, but the FTC’s action today will help protect fair competition, lower prices, and restore the rule of law.”

AAHOA advocates for laws that promote fair competition and prevent anti-competitive practices, the association said. As a voice for Asian American hotel owners, AAHOA supports the FTC's efforts to combat unfair pricing and ensure a level playing field for business owners.

"We urge the industry to embrace fair business practices that foster growth, innovation, and success for all hotel owners," said Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA’s president and CEO. "The FTC's action sends a powerful message that discriminatory pricing practices will not be tolerated and that small businesses deserve the same opportunities as their larger counterparts."

Previously, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction on Dec. 3, halting enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act and its regulations. AAHOA called the decision a major victory for small business owners, including its members.

More for you

HWIC joins WHLA to support industry women

HWIC joins WHLA to support industry women

THE HOSPITALITY WOMEN’S Innovation Council recently joined as the 34th member of the Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance to support women and underserved communities across the industry. The council will encourage women to take part in the messaging, programs and initiatives shared by all WHLA groups.

WHLA was founded in 2021 as a consortium of organizations working to advance women in hospitality.

Keep ReadingShow less
CJ Media WHLA media training event for women in 2025

CJ Media, WHLA launch media training for women in hospitality

CJ Media & WHLA Empower Women with Media Training in 2025

CJ MEDIA SOLUTIONS LLC and the Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance will provide quarterly media training to help advance women in hospitality. The program, offered to the alliance’s participating organizations, will draw on experienced media and PR professionals to deliver guidance across interviews, video, podcasts and live panels.

Each session will be archived for alliance members to access anytime, the duo said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
Choice Hotels MasteryX 2025 Hack-a-Thon competition in Scottsdale

Choice hosts 10th MasteryX summit in Scottsdale, AZ

Choice Hotels MasteryX 2025: Driving Tech Innovation in Scottsdale

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL kicked off its 10th annual MasteryX tech summit in Scottsdale, Arizona. Around 650 associates are attending the week-long event to explore technologies and address real-world challenges through workshops, competitions and knowledge-sharing sessions focused on helping hotel owners increase revenue, reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Choice technologists will examine how artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other technologies can support business intelligence, cyber security, on-property operations and the scaling of the company’s tools and systems, Choice said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
શહેરના ફૂટપાથ પર લગેજ સાથે લોકો મુસાફરી કરતા 2025- અમેરિકન પ્રવાસન ખર્ચ 2025

અમેરિકાનો પ્રવાસન્ ઉદ્યોગમાં વર્ષનો પ્રારંભ મંદીથી : અહેવાલ

અમેરિકન પ્રવાસન ખર્ચ 2025માં 2.5% ઘટ્યો: બેંક ઓફ અમેરિકા

અમેરિકન પ્રવાસન્ ખર્ચ હાલમાં 2023 અને 2024ના સ્તરોથી પાછળ છે, જેને બેંક ઓફ અમેરિકા ક્રેડિટ અને ડેબિટ કાર્ડ ડેટા અનુસાર, મહામારી પછીની મુસાફરીની મજબૂત માંગને કારણે વેગ મળ્યો હતો. બેંકના ડેટામાં રહેવાની વ્યવસ્થા, પ્રવાસન અને એરલાઇન ખર્ચમાં ઘટાડો જોવા મળ્યો છે.

બેન્ક ઓફ અમેરિકાના અહેવાલ, “યલો લાઇટ ફોર ટ્રાવેલ: યુએસ ડોમેસ્ટિક ટુરિઝમ ટેપ્સ ધ બ્રેક્સ,” જાણવા મળ્યું છે કે 22 માર્ચ સુધીમાં, રહેવાની અને પ્રવાસન-સંબંધિત સેવાઓ ગયા વર્ષની સરખામણીએ લગભગ 2.5 ટકા ઘટી હતી, જ્યારે એરલાઈન ખર્ચમાં આશરે 6 ટકાનો ઘટાડો થયો હતો.

Keep ReadingShow less