Most Sought After Christmas Gift, iPod Unavailable in Many Markets

Declared by many gift experts as this year's "must-have" Christmas gift, the Apple iPod has become unavailable to most consumers in several major markets. The popularity of the iPod has proven greater than inventories, and many retailers are reported to be completely sold out and have been for some time many retailers added.

"From New York to San Francisco, there are reports of shoppers entering Apple and other retail stores seeking the iPod and coming away with nothing but sour grapes when they learn they're sold out," reported Baltimore Sun reporter Joe Burriss.

Online holiday gift shoppers are also reported to have had difficulty. Major electronics web retailers such as Target and J&R Electronics and Amazon list the iPods as out of stock.

Gift industry analysts are forecasting the December quarter to be the best iPod quarter to date.