Certain Digital Readers In Short Supply
Barnes & Noble says shoppers who have pre-ordered its new digital reader may not receive it until January. Sony says one of its new e-readers also is in short supply. Analysts say the companies underestimated the demand. Amazon is in a good position. The online retailer had shortages of its reader last year, but this year it says it has plenty in stock.
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RENEE MONTAGNE, host:
NPR's business news starts with hard to get digital readers.
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MONTAGNE: Digital readers are turning out to be one of this year's hot selling items. Some of the devices are now tough to find.
Barnes & Noble says shoppers who have pre-ordered its new digital reader the nook, may not receive it until January. Sony says one of its new e-readers is also in short supply. Companies will sometimes declare a shortage in order to make an item look more popular but analysts say it looks like companies simply underestimated the demand.
Which leaves Amazon in a good position, the online retailer had shortages of its kindle reader last year, and this year it says, it has plenty.
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