BlackBerry PlayBook sales miss targets by over 90% at major retailer, ‘much higher’ return rate than XOOM

According to a trusted source from a major big box retailer, sales of RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook have fallen far short of expectations. In addition, we’re told that the PlayBook is being returned at a higher pace than the Motorola XOOM. According to our source, PlayBook sales at this particular retailer missed internal sales targets by more than 90%. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the PlayBook is “being returned at a much higher rate than the XOOM,” which has a very high return rate itself at 7% according to our source. RIM launched its PlayBook tablet on April 19th and sales have been fairly impressive so far according to some analysts. Our source is singing a different tune, however, so let’s hope other major retailers are having better luck with the PlayBook. We’re rooting for RIM, but maybe amateur hour isn’t over yet?

UPDATE: RIM supplied BGR with an official statement in response to this post.

Tags: BlackBerry, BlackBerry Playbook, Motorola XOOM, playbook, PlayBook sales, QNX, return rate, RIM, Sales, sales figures, sell-through, tablet, Tablets

Jonathan S. Geller