After massive publicity marketing for Microsoft Windows 7, consumers in China who are eager to buy the product immediately have been disappointed. Windows 7 is out of stock in China.

"Windows 7 is currently out of stock, you can register your phone number if you need reservations, and then we will inform you upon its arrival." Yesterday morning, a reporter came to a Suning Appliance chain store in Beijing, the staff there made such a response. Afterward, the reporter also visited several other stores and found that Windows 7 was out of stock everywhere. In response, Microsoft says they are currently making efforts to increase supply, but declined to comment on rumors of they are using a "hunger marketing" approach.

"Windows 7 is really out of stock," staff at Suning Appliance said yesterday afternoon. As a 3C channel partner of Microsoft Windows 7, Suning in Beijing only got 200 units of Windows 7 in the first batch, while more than 1,000 consumers have ordered in Suning stores. In less than one day after Windows 7 hit the market last weekend, these 200 units were all sold out. "Because of the limited supply provided by Microsoft, it is currently difficult for consumers to buy the product. People need to make reservations for it."

After as long as 5 months of massive publicity marketing before Windows 7 hit the market, consumers find it hard to understand the out of stock phenomenon. Insiders speculate that Microsoft has applied a "hunger marketing" strategy.

(People's Daily online October 28, 2009)