It looks like BlackBerry has decided to boost the distribution of PRIV in North America and allowed large chain stores like Staples, in Canada, and Walmart, in the United States, to sell the Android smartphones.

Aside from its own online store, the unlocked version of BlackBerry PRIV can now be ordered from Walmart for the same outright price, $700.

Well, that was yesterday, December 9. Today, BlackBerry PRIV's page on Walmart's online store says the smartphone is out of stock and that customers should register their email address if they want to receive an alert when it's back in stock.

If this isn't an issue from Walmart's part, it means BlackBerry PRIV was sold out in less than a day, which certainly makes fans of the Canadian company happy.

There's also the problem of how many units were in stock, though we doubt Walmart would accept to sell only a dozen or so BlackBerry PRIV smartphones just to see how good they are doing.

US customers can still order one from BlackBerry's online store

Bottom line is if you still want an unlocked BlackBerry PRIV, you would be better off ordering one directly from the company's online store. Keep in mind, though, that it will not work on Verizon, Sprint and US Cellular networks.

Since the PRIV is still available for purchase from BlackBerry's official webstore, then maybe the Canadian company will provide Walmart with more units in the not-so-distant future.

Having your products available via Walmart is a pretty important thing, and BlackBerry might boost PRIV sales considerably. Obviously, that cannot happen while the phone is out of stock.

There has been much talk regarding BlackBerry PRIV's sales that might have been off to a slow start. The good news is we will find out the real number next week when the Canadian company will announce its Q2 fiscal 2016 results.