Matt Martin
09:14 (BST)
23/07/2008
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Iwata: We can't promise Wii supply for Christmas
Retailers may be facing another year without enough stock of the Nintendo Wii to meet consumer demand.
Nintendo's CEO has said that while the company will do all it can to satisfy demand, it cannot guarantee full supplies for the third year running.
"We are really intending to increase the shipments to the US, especially compared to last year," says Iwata, speaking to Forbes.
"However, I can't give you a 100 per cent commitment [that you'll be able to find a Wii this holiday season]. What I can commit myself to is that Nintendo is going to do its best to supply as many Wii hardware units as possible in order to meet demand there."
The company has ramped up its production of the Wii from 1.8 million units per month to a target of 2.4 million by the end of the summer.
Last Christmas retailers in the US and Europe suffered shortages of the popular home console, and while sales of the Wii are leaving the competition behind, consumers and retailers could once again face a frustrating seasonal period.
Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime has said that the average unit sits on retail shelves for only an hour before being snapped up.
It's not just the console that has suffered from a poor supply chain. Game and peripheral Wii Fit has jumped in and out of the charts since release with analysts suggesting patience amongst consumers could wear thin if they are not able to buy product so heavily advertised.
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