Panasonic Step-Up Plasma TVs in Short Supply, Dealers Say

Amid deep discounts being offered to drive holiday sales, retailers are reporting shortages of Panasonic’s VT series 3D-capable plasma TVs, with the 65-inch model said to be discontinued beyond inventory that has shipped. The shortage of Panasonic plasma TVs appears confined to the VT series of 50-, 54-, 58- and 65-inch sets, the latter two being the most affected, retailers said. Since larger national chains like Best Buy have advance purchase contracts, smaller and regional dealers are bearing the brunt of the shortfall, retailers said.

One smaller retailer reported receiving half its order and being told not to expect new shipments until March. At regional retailers, the situation was less acute, but dealers said 58- and 65-inch sets were hard to come by. Panasonic officials weren’t immediately available for comment.

Many retailers were relatively unconcerned about the shortfall, saying Panasonic plasma TVs have been in short supply at the end of each of the past three years. The tight supply is typically due to Panasonic keeping a tight reign on production to avoid having excess inventory at fiscal year end in March, industry officials said.

Despite the shortage, Best Buy was promoting deep discounts on the VT series on its website Friday. The 58-inch TC-P58VT25 was priced at $2,799, down from $3,399, while the TC-P50VT20 was at $1,699, down from $2,499. The 65-inch TC-P65VT25 ($4,299) wasn’t available online, but could be purchased in Magnolia Home Theater stores, the retailer said. At Sixth Avenue Electronics Panasonic’s TC-P50VT25 50-inch was priced at $2,139 after $460 in savings. It had the 58-inch in “limited quantity” at $2,595.

Other retailers also were offering discounts and promotions. Tiger Direct had Vizio’s 55-inch M55NV LCD TV LED backlit with a 120 Hz panel at $1,299 after a $450 discount. And Crutchfield was offering a 26-inch Samsung LCD TV free with the purchase of Samsung 7000, 8000 and 9000 series TVs that range in price from a 40-inch 3D-capable ($1,599) to the 65-inch in the 8000 series ($5,999).