Backstage
Insane iPod sales, inventory management issues, or both?
Sure, it’s nothing conclusive, but how interesting is it that local Wal-mart stores are completely sold out of all iPod models except the shuffle? (We wouldn’t have guessed they’d be out of the full-sized iPods but still have shuffles to go around.)
And pointing people towards other MP3 players instead of the iPod? Also sort of interesting… except for what you’ll see in the pictures below. Click on the title of this article to see them.
Yup, Wal-mart’s sold out of all Nintendo gaming hardware, too - items that were known to be big holiday hits. Looks like the companies had a banner year, or Wal-mart’s just not that great at anticipating demand. It’s pointing people towards gift cards to try and guarantee sales when the items come into stock again. We’ll hopefully hear the official stats on Tuesday from Apple.
Comments
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1
You people over there in the US, should seriously consider boycotting this Wal-Mart place for two reasons:
1. Suggesting that there might be another MP3 player other than the iPod.
2. Grammar: “MP3’s”?! Schoolboy error!
Posted by Species 8472 on January 8, 2007 at 9:00 AM (PDT)
2
If there is any company in the world which can accurately predict demand, it is Walmart. They are the ones that know when hurricane season comes up, pop-tart sales explode, and so they ensure they have enough pop-tarts (along wiht everything else.)
If walmart is out of iPods, either its because demand was inordinant, or apple wasn’t able to supply enough.
Posted by Jay on January 18, 2007 at 10:20 AM (PDT)
3
@ Species 8472: That sort of grammar error is unfortunately par for the course over here in the states. Most people don’t know the difference between ‘there’ ‘their’ and ‘they’re’ let alone how to spell the second. ..And you’re lucky to find an employee at Wally world with a high school diploma.
My guess would be that Walmart, like any other retailer ordered what they could but didn’t get delivery in time.
Posted by NickG on January 18, 2007 at 6:14 PM (PDT)