Dixons invites pricing investigation

The electrical retailer Dixons said yesterday that it would welcome an investigation into PC pricing in its outlets. The news follows a series of allegations that Dixons is exploiting its dominant presence in the High Street where it controls more than 50 percent of the market.

Last week the company was slammed for its "ridiculous margins" in an unprecedented attack by Intel boss Craig Barrett. On Sunday, Peter Mandelson secretary of state for Trade and Industry told the Mail on Sunday that he will write to John Bridgeman, director-general of the Office of Fair Trading, expressing concern about Dixons' computer prices.

Dixons Group chief executive John Clare said yesterday that he would be "happy" for the Office of Fair Trading to become involved. "It is vital that UK consumers are reassured that they are getting a fair deal" he said.

Full story to follow.