Could There Be an iPod Shortage for Christmas?

Now now. There’s no need to panic. And we certainly don’t want any shopping mall stampedes. But, just between us, word is that there may be a shortage of iPods this holiday season - not that anyone out there is trying to fuel a buying frenzy to ensure that little Billy and Sally have one to unwrap this year.

Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu said in a research note that his retail sources are reporting stronger that expected demand, according to a report in CNET. Apple (AAPL), like so many others, were unsure about what to expect this holiday season, given the economic conditions and widespread stories about stock market losses and layoffs. But Wu, apparently, thinks that the iPod could be positioned to withstand some of the doom-and-gloom, seeing how the iPod benefits from “strong consumer understanding of the value it provides.”

CNET says Apple analysts had been predicting sales of 18 million to 19 million iPods this season but Wu thinks that will be closer to 21 million, just shy of last year’s 22 million sold during the season.

Comments

[herbert hoover:]

Yeah, my Christmas wouldn't be complete without a device that enables me to ignore emails immediately that I could have ignored hours later. Even adult toys will suffer in this environment.

2008 Dec 04 11:45 AM

[RyanH:]

HH,

You make some of the most inane comments I have ever seen. He is speaking on the Ipod, not the Iphone. Please read the articles before commenting.

Sam,

This is somewhat surprising to me, but not completely out of the question. thanks for the article.

Ryan

2008 Dec 04 12:56 PM

[Pipo:]

Steve Jobs will probably be named CEO of the Year by Wall Street. he surely deserves it.

ceotalk.blogspot.com/2...

2008 Dec 04 02:08 PM

[thedozer:]

ipods in breadlines...

2008 Dec 04 02:31 PM

[brewer:]

Little Billy and Mary Jane will get their iPods for Christmas. As will your dirty uncle Ted.

People act as if iPods were expensive. They are not terribly expensive. Have you seen what you can buy for the same money? Not much at all!

The Apple gear is VERY competitively priced. The imitation Apple stuff (about everything else in computers or music players or software IS derivative) would have to be priced MUCH less to be a bargain because the quality of the products and services from other vendors really doesn't stand up.

And Apple is selling many things at discount in the Apple store and people are buying it up in a recession.

Folks, dream on if you think Apple products are overpriced. Seriously. And remember, the cheapest place to get a new album or a game for a portable device is the iTunes store, not Wally-world.

2008 Dec 05 10:13 AM

[brewer:]

By Apple store, I meant iTunes store. This is where they are providing media at a discount. Stuff in the Apple store is not at a discount, but for the money, you aren't going to find a better computer, or music player, or phone, etc... If you want the cheapest, you probably won't find it here, but what is there is priced very competitively.

2008 Dec 05 10:34 AM

[mollytjm:]

every single doom and gloom Apple story has been wrong all year...including those that said the ipod was dead. obviously Apple keeps innovating and creating better and better products...there really isn't any way to catch up to them. they have so much financial security that they keep full speed ahead on innovation...and the price for ipods is really great for the value. but i think the iPhone will also sell more than expected. that little pocket computer is wonderful.

2008 Dec 05 10:39 AM

[kris23:]

Ipod def isn't dead. Doubt they're will be a shortage. Head over to Costco. Kidding. But seriously, Apple would be silly to short such a revenue making product for their business.

2008 Dec 08 03:52 PM