Microsoft has started informing retailers of their Xbox Series X launch day allocation

UK retailer ShopTo has begun contacting Xbox Series X pre-order customers to warn them that they won’t receive the console in time for launch on November 10.

The retailer ran a system which let customers register their interest in pre-ordering an Xbox Series X console prior to pre-orders going live.

Once pre-orders officially launched on September 22, customers were given a week to confirm if they wanted to turn their interest into a pre-order, although ShopTo said doing so wouldn’t guarantee receiving the console on day one.

And the retailer has now started informing some customers that it won’t be able to deliver their console in time for launch.

“We have received the allocation details from Microsoft and, unfortunately, we regret to inform you that we will not be able to fulfil your pre-order on day one/release date,” reads a ShopTo email sent to a VGC staff member on Friday.

If you ordered a console from ShopTo and have yet to receive an update via email, it might be worth checking the status of the pre-order section of your ShopTo account as these are also being updated.

ShopTo asks customers not expecting to receive their console in time for launch to keep their pre-order with the retailer in case other customers cancel their orders or Microsoft makes additional launch day stock available.

It’s extremely similar messaging to the communication the retailer sent out to PS5 pre-order customers once it received its initial allocation from Sony.

However, on that occasion it asked customers if they’d be happy to swap their PS5 pre-order for a PS5 Digital Edition console if they become available.

Today’s Xbox email doesn’t ask if customers would be interested in swapping their Xbox Series X pre-order for Xbox Series S.

Amazon has also warned some Xbox Series X pre-order customers that they may not receive their console on the day of release.

Microsoft has said it plans to make more Xbox Series X and S consoles available on launch day after “record-breaking” demand for the next-gen systems.

Daniel Ahmad, senior analyst at Niko Partners, told VGC he expects supply issues for both Xbox Series X and PS5 this year.

“While production is ramping up and component scarcity is less of an issue than before, we believe that logistics issues will be a barrier for both platform holders to overcome this holiday, with the impact from Covid-19 leading to long shipping times and shortages on store shelves during the launch period.

“We expect Sony and Microsoft to utilise air shipments, which will cost more, to meet demand this year.”

Further reading

9

Xbox explains why Series X and S storage expansion cards cost $220/£220

As part of an overview of custom next-gen storage options