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Was it true that Nintendo held back some of its production of earlier consoles to spike demand? I remember it specifically with the Wii[0], but I seem to recall

Was it true that Nintendo held back some of its production of earlier consoles to spike demand? I remember it specifically with the Wii[0], but I seem to recall that their production was always playing catch up. Do you think it's an industry tactic? [0]http://www.cio.com/article/2434123/supply-chain-management/nintendo-wii-shortage--shrewd-marketing-or-flawed-supply-chain-.html http://www.cio.com/article/2434123/supply-chain-management/n...

JoeAltmaier 10y ago
I'm not sure how 'spiking demand' when you have no product to sell, profits Nintendo.
- ajmurmann 10y ago
  I repeatedly hear that something being limited in some way gets Japanese customers really excited. Supposedly that why you even see themed cafes that only pop up for a limited time.
- Kurtz79 10y ago
  What better advertising than having a narrative where your product is "sold out" and in high demand, with media running stories about it ? Especially when the "scarcity" problem can be addressed easily.
  - JoeAltmaier 10y ago
    It can't be addressed quickly. Takes months to make more. Seems like having enough when folks are buying makes more sense, than a little free press and then maybe they'll still be interested in buying in a few months.
- dandr01d 10y ago
  Forget about the Wii already?
Donzo 10y ago
The retro NES console that Nintendo released in November still cannot be bought in stores. Around the holidays, it was impossible to buy the DS, a system that is around 7 years old. Nintendo is a billion dollar company. They've been around a long time. They could produce adequate supply if they wanted. It's seems pretty clear that they are not interested in satiating demand.
vlunkr 10y ago
I don't think anyone outside of Nintendo knows for sure. It could be that they are just very conservative with their estimates. They don't want a bunch of unsold hardware sitting around losing value.
Fej 10y ago
This is their M.O. It happens with almost all of their hardware releases. They do it to generate hype by being able to say that they sold out, even if there were few units made. Also I imagine it cuts down on assembly line costs.

JoeAltmaier 10y ago

I'm not sure how 'spiking demand' when you have no product to sell, profits Nintendo.

ajmurmann 10y ago
I repeatedly hear that something being limited in some way gets Japanese customers really excited. Supposedly that why you even see themed cafes that only pop up for a limited time.
Kurtz79 10y ago
What better advertising than having a narrative where your product is "sold out" and in high demand, with media running stories about it ? Especially when the "scarcity" problem can be addressed easily.
- JoeAltmaier 10y ago
  It can't be addressed quickly. Takes months to make more. Seems like having enough when folks are buying makes more sense, than a little free press and then maybe they'll still be interested in buying in a few months.
dandr01d 10y ago
Forget about the Wii already?

Donzo 10y ago

The retro NES console that Nintendo released in November still cannot be bought in stores. Around the holidays, it was impossible to buy the DS, a system that is around 7 years old. Nintendo is a billion dollar company. They've been around a long time. They could produce adequate supply if they wanted. It's seems pretty clear that they are not interested in satiating demand.

vlunkr 10y ago

I don't think anyone outside of Nintendo knows for sure. It could be that they are just very conservative with their estimates. They don't want a bunch of unsold hardware sitting around losing value.

Fej 10y ago

This is their M.O. It happens with almost all of their hardware releases. They do it to generate hype by being able to say that they sold out, even if there were few units made. Also I imagine it cuts down on assembly line costs.