iPod retailers have recently been indicating that the current line of iPods are soon to be on their way out to make way for a new lineup.
AppleInsider claims that those in the loop with the ‘inventory management systems’ at mega-retailer, Target, say that the status of the current line of iPods has changed from “active” to “discontinued” when scanned by the handheld PDA scanners.
Unfortunately, the scanners are not able to display dates for product refreshes, as such information is only available through the company’s web based intranet system.
Additionally, UK retailer, Argos is planning some house cleaning on their iPod stock, in anticipation of a new line. One source notes that the company has recently taken receipt of new displays advocating “price cuts” that should be hitting sales floors come the first week of September. The source went on to say that the displays are “giant wall graphics” that is the “biggest poster” displayed by the retailer.
The recent news of inventory liquidation is coinciding well with leading Wall Street analysts’ advice for Apple to sustain its strength in the digital media player market.
Lehman Brothers analyst, Ben Reitzes, had pointed out that the availability of the 16GB iPod touch at Best Buy has recently declined, claiming that, “we continue to believe Apple will need to reposition the iPod touch line in conjunction with its anticipated new product announcement in early to mid-September now that the iPhone acquisition price is lower.” Perhaps the new iPod line will be here sooner than we thought.
