CDRLabs.com

While many electronics retailers in the US have put Toshiba's HD DVD players on clearance, six of Japan's major retailers have pulled them from their shelves altogether. According to INQUIRER.net, these retailers have asked Toshiba to take back its stock of players.

As of Friday, six major Japanese electronics retailers -- Yodobashi Camera, Kojima, Nojima, Edion, Best Denki and Joshin Denki -- had suspended all sales of HD DVD, company officials said. The chains are in talks with Toshiba for the electronics giant to take back its stock either fully or partially.

Edion, which operates 1,000 stores across Japan under various names, announced an offer for any customer who bought HD DVD hardware from Toshiba to switch for a Blu-ray machine sold by Sony, Panasonic or Sharp. The offer is available only in March, with customers expected to pay any price difference if the Blu-ray machine was more expensive.

While I'd be surprised if Toshiba took back their stock of HD DVD players, its good to see that some retailers care enough about their customers that they'd give them a way to move to Blu-ray. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here.