Well-known bricks and mortar stores have pressured distributors and wholesalers to stop selling particular items online that the retailers also sell in their shops, claims eBay in an inquiry into the Australian retail industry.

The explosive allegation comes as the Productivity Commission continues to hear evidence from retailers and peak-body groups into the competitive pressures facing traditional retailers amid the growing popularity of online sites such as Amazon and eBay.

In its latest submission to the inquiry, the popular online retailer also backed calls for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to investigate these restrictive distribution practices.

Responding to draft recommendations released by the Productivity Commission last month, eBay managing director (Australia and New Zealand) Deborah Sharkey alleged today that certain unnamed Australian retailers had engaged in anti-competitive behaviour to limit the availability of products at online sites.

"eBay is also aware of situations where local distributors and sellers have had pressure applied by prominent Australian retailers to cease selling products on online sites such as eBay.com.au, in competition to the retailer's own channels," Ms Sharkey said in her submission.