It must be putting off sales. All the local bikes shops I frequent say that they hardly shift any mountain bikes as it is as everyone has moved to road bikes, and the fuss over new wheel sizes must put a lot of people off (me and a few others above for starters).
Sure the newcomers (and they're very welcome) will buy whatever seems best or they are persuaded to, but most of us have a vested interest in 26. Until everything clearly settles down it will take a lot to move wholeheartedly to one camp, especially as Giant, the biggest manufacturer, admit to now looking to phase out 29ers before most people have jumped on board.
I don't buy the argument that wheels sizes = better for everyone as there is choice as the swapability factor is removed if you have different wheel sizes for different tasks. And manufacturers make what is demanded, and if all new stock is 650b or 29 then there is a danger that you wont see great 26 kit available in the future.
Anyway, I'm sticking with what I have and am not looking for anything new, but if I was I would still be sitting on my hands until there is a clearer direction.