Best Buy Company Incorporated and Circuit City Stores Incorporated have both reported high demand for Windows Vista in their retail stores. In separate earnings statements, the two retail companies said that PCs with Vista preinstalled have been selling well since the January 30 release. However, while this drove sales of PCs and computer services up 10% at Best Buy, Circuit City was affected negatively because it did not keep enough Vista PCs in stock to meet customer demand. News from retailers drove Microsoft stock (MSFT) up more than 3 percent on Wednesday at midday Eastern Daylight Time. The opening price was $28; by 12:35 p.m. EDT stock was trading for $28.73.
Best Buy said sales of Vista helped it gain market share in laptop and desktop computer sales. The company reported positive results for its fiscal fourth quarter, with profit that rose more than 18% year over year. Circuit City, on the other hand, reported a US$12.2 million loss for the quarter, and admitted sales were less than expected. The company acknowledged in a news statement it was negatively affected by "volatility" around the Vista sales transition due to the fact it kept its Vista PC inventory "lean" and so could not fulfill customer demand.