US Wii Fit Availability Issues Occasioned By Deliberate Redirecting of Wii Fit Supplies to Europe, Says Analyst [Nintendo Focused on Strong Euro]

For those of you in the US who are still having issues tracking down
Nintendo's Wii Fit a report just published in the LA Times is sure to
leave a somewhat sour taste in your mouth as the report claims that the
lack of US supplies have been orchestrated deliberately by Nintendo in
order to take advantage of the strong Euro.Of course supply issues are
nothing new when it comes to Nintendo's Wii, however, according to
Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Morgan Securities, the shortage
in US supplies of Wii Fit is primarily being occasioned by Nintendo
deliberately shipping more units to Europe (some 2 million units to
date) whilst reserving a mere 500,000 Wii Fits for the (comparitably
huge) US market in what is, according to Pachter, a deliberate move by
Nintendo to reap the rewards of the strong Euro whilst the going's good
and whilst the Dollar is weak (even if this is at the expense of US
availability).'The shortage demonstrates one consequence of the weak
dollar. We're seeing companies ignore their largest market simply
because they can make a greater profit elsewhere,' states Pachter, who
adds that 'They [Nintendo] know that Americans will be just as fat a few
months from now.'Commenting on Pachter's remarks, Billy Pidgeon, an
analyst with research firm IDC, added 'That&'s a tough line to tread.
When does the consumer get frustrated and move on? So far, the Wii still
has cachet, but the fact that consumers can't find a Wii or a Wii Fit is
definitely a missed opportunity.'Needless to say, if you're a US based
reader who's frustrated with not being able to find a Wii Fit we would
love to hear your thoughts. Will a continued lack of supply wean you
away from purchasing Wii Fit, especially if the lack of supplies are, as
Pachter asserts wholly avoidable?

Talk to us.

LA Times