GameStop will be selling PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles this Thursday

GameStop will be offering PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles for sale online this Thursday, January 21.

The retailer said it will have a limited number of next-gen console bundles available to purchase online and that it will inform its Twitter followers when the offers go live.

GameStop also said it will be selling Nintendo Switch console bundles online on Thursday.

UPDATE 21/01/20: It appears that GameStop has now sold out of PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles, but Walmart will be selling the next-gen systems beginning at 3pm ET/12pm PT on Thursday, January 21.

ORIGINAL STORY CONTINUES:

Sony has been struggling to meet consumer demand for PS5 consoles since its record-breaking November launch, with shortages exacerbated by scalpers reselling large quantities of the console at significant mark-ups.

UK PS5 restocks were again targeted by scalper bots this week, with one firm claiming its users had secured over 2,000 orders to resell for profit.

Retailer Game made a new batch of PS5 stock available on Tuesday which quickly sold out. A number of social media users later claimed to have secured dozens of consoles using bot software, although Game told VGC it would be checking pre-orders to ensure that only one PS5 was purchased per customer.

A spokesperson said: “PlayStation 5’s continue to be in very high demand and that demand far outweighs current supply. We have strong measures in place to help ensure that our ‘1 per customer’ statement is maintained to allow for as many individual customers to successfully purchase as possible.”

Currys also sold a fresh batch of PS5s on Wednesday and it has been claimed that multiple retailers including Amazon, Argos, Very, Smyths and Hughes will have more stock available at various points in January.

Demand for next-gen consoles is expected to outstrip supply for the foreseeable future, with Microsoft having suggested Xbox Series X/S shortages will continue into spring 2021.

In a November interview with The Verge, Xbox boss Phil Spencer expressed frustration with how Xbox Series X/S pre-orders had gone for some customers and said Microsoft could come up with a new model for pre-ordering consoles, such as putting down a deposit.

“I do think it’s going to push us to think about new models,” he explained. “It could be, reserve your slot. It could be doing things more direct with the customer. Still could have the retailer fulfill the order, but just so people can have more clarity on when they can get a console. It’s something we’re working on.”

He added: “The biggest disappointment for me in this launch — but I’m also happy with it — is people love the product. The demand is high, such that when you’re going to see product hit the shelf, it goes very quickly. If you want one, I sound like a salesman now, but I’d recommend picking one up when you see it.”

Further reading

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Scalper bot firm claims it secured ‘2,000+’ PS5 orders from Game UK today

UPDATED: Retailer comments as restocks continue to be targeted by scalpers