Best Buy cancels some online orders before Christmas

Best Buy says it won't be able to fill some customers' online orders, just days before Christmas.

The largest U.S. specialty electronics retailer says overwhelming demand for some products has led to a problem redeeming online orders made in November and December.

The Minneapolis company declined Thursday to specify how many orders are affected or which products are out of stock.

The shortages are a black eye for Best Buy, which has beefed up online offerings as a way to offset tough competition from online retailers and discount stores.

Online shopping is becoming more popular, with sales up 15 percent to $32 billion so far this holiday season. That has created some problems, though.

Target's site crashed in September because overwhelming demand for a popular brand.