The PS5 will not be available for purchase in stores on the release date. Sony announced this in a post on the topic.
No PS5 on-site: As the official German PlayStation account announced on Twitter, there will be no PS5 consoles available for purchase on release day, November 19, in stores. All sales will be handled online.
How PS5 Sales Will Work on Release Day
This is the reason: Previously, it was mentioned that there would be no PS5 consoles on-site for purchase. As Sony explained in a blog post, they want to protect players, retailers, and employees from COVID-19. During the release of the PS4, there was a huge turnout in stores – this time they want to prevent that:
“Therefore, we ask you not to line up in front of local retail partners or camp there in the hope of buying a PS5 console. Stay healthy, stay home, and make your purchase online.”
PlayStation Blog
What about my in-store preorder? Those who preordered the console from retailers like Saturn, Conrad, or MediaMarkt could have chosen to pick it up in person instead of having it delivered. Here, Sony refers to the local retailers:
“Customers who chose in-store pickup should be able to collect their console while adhering to the store’s safety precautions and attending their assigned pickup appointment. Details can be found with your trusted game retailer.”
PlayStation Blog
As of now, the post only refers to the release day. As soon as there is further information, we will keep you updated.
Those who have already preordered the consoles should therefore expect to receive their console, according to Sony, even if it was ordered in-store. Only players who have missed out on preorders and were hoping for a unit in a store on release day will likely have to abandon that hope now.
Currently, there is no new option to preorder the PS5. However, an insider recently stated that a third wave of PS5 consoles could be coming. When exactly, however, is still unknown.
