Shortages of Xbox 360 will likely drag on into the spring, according to at least one major retailer. In an article in yesterday’s USA Today, Circuit City’s Jim Babb said, “We think supplies are going to remain pretty tight for the next 90 days.” The company is still not actively promoting Xbox 360.At CES earlier this month, Bill Gates said he expects availability to improve “over the next three or four months” as Microsoft’s extra manufacturing partner fully comes on line.
Clearly, some in the industry believe the shortages are damaging for Xbox 360s future. USA Today points out that while Microsoft sold 600,000 systems of Xbox 369 prior to the holidays, the original Xbox sold 1.4 million units in the first two months of 2001.
John Davison, editorial director for Ziff Davis’ games mags said, “Microsoft needs to get the supply-and-demand situation nailed real soon. If it drags out much longer, it’s just going to promote apathy rather than excitement.”
Richard Doherty, research director of the Envisioneering Group. “Damage to Microsoft and 360 is growing every week with no clear explanation. The silence is unfair to consumers and fans alike.”
[via next-gen]