Dixons: an apology

In the 25 November 1998 edition of PC Dealer ("Intel charges Dixons with bloated margins"), it was reported that Fujitsu's UK sales director, Frank O'Brien, agreed with Intel's criticism of Dixons at last year's Comdex show in Las Vegas.

At Comdex, Intel's chief executive, Craig Barrett, and the vice president for Intel's architecture business group, Paul Otellini, criticised Dixons for its allegedly "ridiculous margins" and for allegedly controlling the PC market by determining what was sold and at what price. Intel has since apologised for the statements. We are happy to clarify that O'Brien did not, as the article indicated, endorse all of the Intel allegations.

O'Brien's comments were limited to Dixons' pricing of its budget PCs.

In a statement in open court issued as part of an action brought by Dixons against Fujitsu, both Fujitsu and O'Brien have withdrawn these comments and Fujitsu has agreed to pay damages to Dixons and to meet Dixons' costs in that action.

Any impression that O'Brien endorsed Intel's criticism of Dixons' profit margins or of its position in the marketplace was not intended. PC Dealer apologises for any misimpression that these statements may have caused.