Wii Shortages Costing Nintendo 'A Billion' In Sales

A New York Times article from this past Friday highlights the 'problem' that Nintendo is facing: more people want to give them money than they can handle. Analysts quoted in the story discussing Nintendo's unique Wii shortage problem indicate that the company could be selling twice the 1.8 million consoles a month it ships. All told, these same individuals believe the company could be leaving as much as $1 billion on the table this holiday season. "'We don't feel like we've made any mistakes,' said George Harrison, senior vice president for marketing at Nintendo of America. He said there was a shortage because the company must plan its production schedule five months ahead, and projecting future demand is difficult. He added that there had been a worldwide shortage of disk drives that had hurt Nintendo as well as makers of many other devices. 'It's a good problem to have,' Mr. Harrison said of the demand, but he acknowledged that there could be a downside. 'We do worry about not satisfying consumers and that they will drift to a competitor's system.'"

Re:RIAA styled math

[jeffasselin]

Following computer virus loss estimates, and the *AA estimates, I think we can define a new branch of mathematics, defined as the branch of mathematics devoted to making up numbers.

Re:Let's use the music argument...

[lukas84]

Well, a day has 24 hours and if that isn't enough there's still the night ;)

Re:What are people buying instead?

[plague3106]

I'm spending it on mercury, then dumping it in the local lake. On the way home, I run over squirrels and cute bunnies.

Re:What are people buying instead?

[Chris Burke]

Includes such games as Real World TENNIS (indoor and outdoor versions available)

I'm not sure where you are, but up here in the Northern Hemisphere it's winter when Christmas time comes. Even as far south as Texas playing outdoor sports is not something most people, even athletic, think is a good idea.

As far as indoor, while it may be a helpful, I don't know many kids who are going to think "fitness club membership" is an awesome gift.

bowling alley... FRESH AIR.

You know in my word association, "fresh air" makes me think "bowling alley" just before I think "corner dive bar".

Re:RIAA styled math

[pragma_x]

I think those all fall under one or more branches of Bistromathematics [wikipedia.org].

Re:What are people buying instead?

[MobileTatsu-NJG]

If a $Billion is being left on the table, where are people spending it on? 360? PS3? Or how about this new fangled , environmentally friendly device called:

GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY!

I hear ya, man. I wish I could impose my views on everybody in the world, too.

George Harrison

[caffeine_monkey]

"'We don't feel like we've made any mistakes,' said George Harrison, senior vice president for marketing at Nintendo of America. He added mournfully, "I don't know how someone controlled you. They bought and sold you." And then Eric Clapton launched into a guitar solo.

Re:Wii

[djdavetrouble]

Gamestop, Broadway, New York City. It doesn't get any less boonie than that.
I'm on my way there NOW to post pics on slashdot.... ...not

Re:License someone!

[Anonymous Coward]

Panasonic is Nintendo assmunch