PS5 & Xbox Series X: UK customers may not be able to purchase Next-Gen consoles this year without pre-order

We have our fingers crossed that you’ve managed to pre-order your next-gen console of choice.

With some UK retailers warning that the next-gen consoles may not be available on launch day, make sure to keep an eye online for pre-orders.

This latest news comes amidst the announcement of another lockdown in the UK.

Let’s take a look at what UK retailers have been saying now.

GAME – next-gen consoles

GAME was one of the first to warn about the possibility.

Replying to a user on Twitter, the company said that “we do not have confirmation that we will have stock on launch day”.

This will come as a shock for some, as it is often customary for hopeful console owners to queue up outside their store of choice.

However, with the implications caused by coronavirus, and the dramatic interest in the next-gen hardware, stores have been forced to remove the certainty of this option.

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Smyths – PS5

Smyths Toys has expressed something similar, stating that “we cannot guarantee we will receive more stock before the end of the year”.

This is slightly more dramatic than the GAME response, as it shows that the company may not have any new consoles for two months.

Once again, the tweet advised potential buyers to keep an eye online where possible.

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Store collection – UK Lockdown

Despite the second UK lockdown starting this week, certain stores will open for next-gen hardware to be collected.

As with the previous lockdown, all non-essential retail will shut, meaning that stores such as GAME will be moving entirely online again.

However, companies such as Argos, GAME, and Smyths will be opening for the launch day of next-gen consoles.

This will enable purchasers, to collect the console in-store as opposed to being delivered to their homes.