CEO now says tablets are an 'incremental opportunity'.
Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn caused a stir last week when he told the Wall Street Journal that iPad had "cannibalised sales from laptop PCs by as much as 50%".
However, it seems he's had second thoughts since seeing his words in print - both in the WSJ and subsequently across the blogosphere.
Dunn has issued a statement clarifying his views on netbooks, claiming that "the reports of the demise of these devices are grossly exaggerated".
How so? "In fact, we see some shifts in consumption patterns, with tablet sales being an incremental opportunity. And as we said during our recent earnings call, we believe computers will remain a very popular gift this holiday because of the very distinct and desirable benefits they offer consumers."
Dunn goes on to say that Best Buy will be selling a broad selection of computing products and accessories in the run-up to Christmas.
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It sounds like he may have got a slap on the wrist from investors: talking up computing products in an earnings call then telling a journalist they're being cannibalised isn't a recipe for shareholder delight.
