Those hoping to acquire a PlayStation 5 in time for the holiday season may be in luck, as Walmart is planning a restock of the popular Sony console later today, November 9, just a few days ahead of the console's first anniversary. As Christmas fast approaches, consoles such as the PS5 are likely to be in higher demand than ever as fans try to secure the desirable hardware either as gifts for loved ones or for themselves.
The PlayStation 5 first released nearly a full year ago on November 12 2020, but many Sony fans have struggled to get their hands on the new-gen release even as the end of 2021 approaches. Stock shortages have been a problem for many major tech companies, in part due to manufacturing issues that have affected not just Sony, but also Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo's family of Switch consoles. While stock shortages have been a problem year-round, the approaching holidays will likely lead to higher demand, making it harder than it previously has been to acquire a new console at cost price. Nintendo has already confirmed it won't meet holiday demand this year.
As spotted by IGN Deals, Walmart.com will have both the regular and digital editions of the PS5 console in stock today, available from 12 PM PT/3 PM ET. The consoles will be priced at $499.99 for the standard version, and $399.99 for the digital. The sales are online-only, and won't be available in-store, which could make it tough to acquire a console before they sell out. Those hoping to purchase a PS5 today are advised to prepare in advance to secure their place in what could be long virtual queues.
See the post on Twitter here.
The latest Sony console hasn't just been suffering from stock shortages, but also the issue of PS5 scalping, with thousands of individuals and companies claiming PS5 stock with the intention of selling the consoles for a profit. This is a problem made worse by bots, which can be used to jump online queues in order to secure units ahead of real people. It's possible that the PS5 scalping problem will grow worse as the holiday season grows closer, with those particularly desperate to get a PS5 perhaps more willing to turn to scalpers despite the high price tag.
Unfortunately, it's not clear when PS5 shortages will begin to ease, but it's likely the console will see a boost in sales when it becomes more readily available on store shelves. Despite the stock issues faced by the PS5, the console is still a success for Sony, though it hasn't quite managed to outsell the PS4. The company recently announced the PS5 has sold over 13.4 million units in its first year, coming in at around 500,000 units short of PS4 sales at the same point in its lifecycle.
Source: Twitter/IGNDeals