Barnes & Noble says Nook sold out before holidays

Barnes & Noble Incorporation said on Friday it had sold out of its newly-launched Nook electronic readers due to high demand — a pre-holiday miscalculation that analysts said could boost sales of rival Amazon.com Inc's market leading Kindle.

The news followed a similar announcement on Thursday by Sony Corporation about its electronic reader.

Amazon shares edged up 0.5%, while Barnes & Noble shares were little changed.

"Amazon can reap the benefit of Sony and Barnes & Noble's failures here," said Forrester analyst Sarah Rotman Epps, who added that consumers looking for a wireless e-reader before the holidays now just have one main alternative — the Kindle.

Industry experts have said that electronic readers sold by Amazon, Sony, Barnes & Noble and others will be top-selling electronic gadgets for the holidays. But demand is difficult to gauge because manufacturers do not releases sales results or sales targets.

Barnes & Noble said devices ordered from Friday will be shipped beginning the week of January 4. Gift givers will be issued a holiday certificate that notes a January shipping date.

"While we increased production based on the high consumer interest, we've sold out of our initial Nook allotment available for delivery before the holidays," the company said in a statement.

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