Dixons stunts DVD market, ex-Intelers claim

Dixons has been accused of inflating prices -- again. This time, the high street retailer is being blamed for the lack of interest in DVD (digital versatile disc) technology because it is charging too much for titles. Bryan Welsh, MD of online retailer DVDplus, believes that manufacturers and retailers have a responsibility to stimulate the market but claims Dixons simply isn't pulling its weight to promote the product. He said that by keeping prices high, it is stunting the development of the DVD market. Last month Dixons was stung after being attacked by Intel CEO Craig Barrett who accused the retail giant of charging "ridiculous margins" for its PC equipment. Such harsh criticism is unlikely to bother a big player like Dixons. However, The Register can reveal that the management team behind DVDplus all worked for... you guessed it... Intel. "Yes, I've met Craig Barrett a couple of times but I don't know him," said Welsh, who denied any claim that the attack on Dixons was orchestrated in any way. But this latest twist should be more than enough for conspiracy theorists everywhere -- and the writers of the X-Files, who appear to be in need of some fresh ideas. A spokesperson for Dixons denied the company was becoming paranoid and that it was being singled out by competitors. When you're as big as we are you have to accept that these kinds of things happen, he said. ®