Sporadic sales of PS5 consoles have been popping up in the United States this week, with Sony promising that more stock is on the way. While the PlayStation 5 has yet to launch in the UK, it won’t be long before the first pre-orders arrive. The UK release date for the PS5 has been set for Thursday, November 19, which is now less than a week away. Those who were lucky enough to snatch a PS5 pre-order online should see their consoles arrive later this month.
But for those who missed out, the scenes in the United States should be warning for everyone.
Places like Best Buy and Walmart have released new PS5 stock this month, and it has been very difficult to get a console.
Gamers have been reporting preemptively setting up online retail accounts with address and payment details already filled out, only to miss out again.
The good news is that more PS5 stock has been promised for both before and after the December Holidays.
Sony’s Jim Ryan provided an update during an interview with the BBC, revealing that more opportunities should be available in the coming weeks.
“We’re making more PS5’s in this difficult environment then we made PS4s in that launch,” Ryan told the BBC.
“If people are unable to find one at launch, we’re very sorry and apologetic about that. They can rest assured we’re working really hard to get significant supplies into the market before and after Christmas.”
For gamers in the UK, fresh PS5 pre-order options aren’t expected over the weekend. However, retailer John Lewis has confirmed that new stock will be available on November 19.
The latest post on the retailer’s website adds: “PlayStation 5 console ordering update: the PS5 console will be made available to order online only on launch day, Thursday, 19th November 2020.
“PlayStation 5 consoles will not be available for in-store purchase at any of our John Lewis & Partner stores.”
This fits in with an earlier statement from Sony, who confirmed that no PlayStation 5 stock would be available to buy in-store, due to the current world situation.
The message from Sony reads: “No units will be available in-store for purchase on launch day (November 12 or November 19, depending on your region) – please don’t plan on camping out or lining up at your local retailer on launch day in hopes of finding a PS5 console for purchase. Be safe, stay home, and place your order online.”
“In the interest of keeping our gamers, retailers, and staff safe amidst COVID-19, today we are confirming that all day-of launch sales will be conducted through the online stores of our retail partners.
“Gamers who have pre-ordered for pick-up at their local retailer should still be able to do so at their designated appointment time, under the retailer’s safety protocols. Please confirm the details with your local retailer.”
It seems PS5 stock will be trickling in throughout the remainder of 2020, but it’s unlikely that there will be enough to keep up with demand.
