Sony has confirmed in a PlayStation Blog post that PS5 consoles will not be sold in retail stores at launch, with the only way to purchase the new console being through online retailers.
In the post, Sony highlight that this decision was made to keep gamers, retailers, and staff safe amongst the COVID-19 pandemic. However, click and collect orders, or those that have already pre-ordered and will be picking the console up at a designated time will still be able to, but will need to check with the retailer.
All of this is to ensure that there are no long lines and that people are in the safest possible situation when they go and pick up the new console. Online orders will still be available, alongside deliveries to your home. Of course, this does mean that those who were banking on getting a console in-store and haven’t pre-ordered will not be able to.
The PS5 releases on November 12, 2020, in the US and November 19, 2020, in the UK and EU.
Source – [PlayStation Blog]