The online retailer eBay has claimed in its latest submission to the Australian Productivity Commission's inquiry into the retail industry that well known bricks and mortar stores have placed pressure on distributors and sellers to stop selling some items online that are also in their shops.

The explosive allegation comes as the commission continues to hear evidence from retailers and industry groups about the competitive pressures facing traditional outlets in the face of the growing popularity of online sites such as Amazon and eBay.

In its response to draft recommendations released by the commission last month, eBay's managing director Australia and New Zealand, Deborah Sharkey, has alleged that certain unnamed Australian retailers have engaged in anti-competitive behaviour to limit the availability of products online.