PlayStation’s Direct online store has launched in the UK

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has launched its PlayStation Direct online store in the UK, following its rollout in Germany earlier this week.

SIE’s US operation launched PlayStation Direct to sell consoles, games and accessories direct to consumers back in September 2019. Now the store is finally rolling out to Europe.

At the time of publishing, PlayStation 5 consoles are not in stock.

A job advert posted last December suggested SIE was seeking to “build on the successful launch” of PlayStation Direct in the US by bringing the store to Europe – a plan it confirmed during an investor relations event in May.

“PlayStation Direct has achieved significant revenue in the US market within little more than a year of starting operations,” SIE president and CEO Jim Ryan said during a presentation.

“We plan for 300 percent further growth within this fiscal year, helped by our upcoming launch in Europe.”

It was reported last week that Sony has been air freighting PS5 stock into the UK as it attempts to better meet demand in the runup to Christmas.

The PS5 stock carried by each 747 was reportedly enough to require 12 articulated lorries per jet to transport the cargo to distribution centres around the UK.

Strong demand coupled with global chip shortages mean that Sony’s console has been difficult to come by since its launch in November 2020.

Last month Sony said that PlayStation 5 supply issues were negatively impacting hardware sales, but that it remains hopeful of hitting its annual console shipment target.