Gamestop expects Wii shortages

Gamestop predicts the Nintendo Wii will be in short supply again this holiday season. David Carlson, Chief Financial Officer of the popular retail chain, told Gamesindustry.biz that Wii hardware and associated accessories will be in “very, very short supply”. Demand is being fueled by the intense popularity of the Wii Fit and Guitar Hero games.

Yes, this news probably sounds like a broken record; the Wii has perpetually been in short supply because Nintendo simply can’t manufacture enough of the consoles. While consumers can sometimes find a few consoles at major retailers, other stores seem to be constantly out of stock. Reggie Fils-Aime, President and Chief Operating Officer of Nintendo America, recently told Forbes that production of the Wii Fit will “fall short” of demand.

Wii Fit was released in North America back in May and has been a huge success, selling more than 2 million units in the third quarter. Worldwide, the game has sold more than 9 million copies. Unlike traditional video games, Wii Fit lets players practice Yoga poses and 40 other exercises on a electronic balance board.

In recent months Nintendo had sought to reassure gamers by promising a significant increase in production and shipments. The company claimed it was on target to ship 50 percent more (compared to last year) consoles for the holidays. Nintendo also promised to increase Nintendo DS handheld production by 10 percent.

When you think about it, Carlson is a great businessman by predicting a shortage. Some consumers may be inclined to buy their consoles early in the hopes of beating the crowds. Source – Gamesindustry.biz