US Wii Fit Availability Issues Occasioned By Deliberate Redirecting of Wii Fit Supplies to Europe, Says Analyst [Nintendo Focused on Strong Euro]

For those of you in the US who are still having issues tracking down Nintendo’s Wii Fit a report just published in the LA Times is sure to leave a somewhat sour taste in your mouth as the report claims that the lack of US supplies have been orchestrated deliberately by Nintendo in order to take advantage of the strong Euro.

Of course supply issues are nothing new when it comes to Nintendo’s Wii, however, according to Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Morgan Securities, the shortage in US supplies of Wii Fit is primarily being occasioned by Nintendo deliberately shipping more units to Europe (some 2 million units to date) whilst reserving a mere 500,000 Wii Fits for the (comparitably huge) US market in what is, according to Pachter, a deliberate move by Nintendo to reap the rewards of the strong Euro whilst the going’s good and whilst the Dollar is weak (even if this is at the expense of US availability).

‘The shortage demonstrates one consequence of the weak dollar. We’re seeing companies ignore their largest market simply because they can make a greater profit elsewhere,’ states Pachter, who adds that ‘They [Nintendo] know that Americans will be just as fat a few months from now.’

Commenting on Pachter’s remarks, Billy Pidgeon, an analyst with research firm IDC, added ‘That’s a tough line to tread. When does the consumer get frustrated and move on? So far, the Wii still has cachet, but the fact that consumers can’t find a Wii or a Wii Fit is definitely a missed opportunity.’

Needless to say, if you’re a US based reader who’s frustrated with not being able to find a Wii Fit we would love to hear your thoughts. Will a continued lack of supply wean you away from purchasing Wii Fit, especially if the lack of supplies are, as Pachter asserts wholly avoidable?

Talk to us.

LA Times [via]