Dixons disses AMD claims

Wants to 'set the record straight'

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in IT Channel, 11th July 2005 15:19 GMT

Dixons is considering legal action in response to AMD's naming of the company in anti-trust filings made in the US.

AMD has filed an anti-trust suit against Intel accusing the chip giant of pressurising partners to restrict AMD's market share. Papers filed with the district court in Delaware name 38 companies, including Dixons. Dell, Sony, NEC and Hitachi were all pushed into exclusive or partly exclusive deals with Intel, the papers allege.

But the UK's favourite retailer is not happy. In a statement released last week, Dixons described the allegations as "poorly-researched and false" and said it was driven by customer demands not rebates offered by manufacturers.

Specifically Dixons refutes the implication in the filing that it has an exclusive agreement with Intel. The statement continues: "Whilst we cannot disclose supplier market share, DSG Retail Ltd wishes to categorically refute AMD's allegation that the Group has 'agreed to keep AMD's share of business below ten per cent' and in fact is incorrect."

Dixons says it never said some suppliers reduce payments based on market share. It also denies it has, or has ever claimed, a two-thirds share of the UK market. ®