Nintendo has decided to pull its television adverts for the Wii in the UK, as it cannot keep up with demand in that region. The advertisements would have been broadcast running up to Christmas, but Nintendo decided to do the responsible move, and delay them for 2008.
The demand for the console has been “unprecedented and higher than Nintendo could ever have anticipated.” Worldwide sales of the Wii are reported to be about 1.8 million units sold a month, with Nintendo increasing their expectations by 3.5 million units, to 17.5 million units worldwide, in March 2008.
A Nintendo spokesperson said: “We are doing everything possible to supply continued levels of stock and meet demands as quickly as possible.”
“We are keen to act responsibly; we are potentially looking at moving some advertisements on some products into early 2008,” added the rep.
The reason why this should not cause any problems for Nintendo is the lack of a Christmas theme in the adverts themselves, so they can be used for any time of the year.
In the UK, retailers are having trouble keeping enough Wiis in stock, and many parents may have to disappoint their kids on Christmas day. Websites have been set up to help people find out when Wiis are in stock so people can get them as quickly as possible, much like in North America.
Analysts are saying that Nintendo DS is likely to take up the advertising slots which would have been used for the Wii instead.
Sony plans to use the Wii shortage to their advantage, to double US weekly sales, along with recent price cuts.
Via: BBC
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