iPad 2 stock 'sold out' in London

The Apple iPad 2 is reportedly completely sold out across London, with it not clear when more stock will arrive, as the waiting time for online orders goes up to nearly a month.

As expected, stock of the iPad 2 at launch appears to have been highly limited, with Apple's flagship stores selling out in just over a day, and other prominent retailers unable to say with certainty when they would next get stock in.

The waiting time for online orders has already risen from the initial estimate of between two and three weeks to as much as four weeks.

Customers hoping to purchase an iPad 2 at one of Apple's Central London stores would have had no alternative but to queue for hours, as customers were admitted from the queue only in dribs and drabs. John Lewis on Oxford Street had sold out of their stock within about an hour of the 5pm Friday launch, with the situation replicated across several other Central London retailers we spoke to. It was not clear when more stock would arrive - we were told that 'some time over the weekend' was a possibility, with other venues suggesting Monday as the earliest possible time. The Covent Garden Apple Store, one of Apple's flagship London stores, told us they had plenty of stock at around 3pm on Saturday (and were both free from queues and unaffected by the protests occurring nearby) - but a few hours later, they too were sold out.
Pocket-lint have done a more comprehensive survey of iPad 2 availability across the capital and in other major cities, and have found the same thing.
Pocket-lint's editor Stuart Miles said: ‘Whatever the reason, London has run out of iPad 2s. Our team scoured London and confirmed with Apple that they don’t even have supplies in their flagship Regent Street store or the new Covent Garden branch.

Add to this a three to four week waiting list for online orders, which means if you’re planning to get your hands on an iPad 2, don’t expect it to be any time soon.’  Customers hoping to pick up an iPad might still get lucky here and there, but it looks like most people wanting to get their hands on one will be forced to take their chances on Monday morning at the earliest - and could possibly have to wait even longer.

Read more: metro.co.uk