Sony’s PSVR 2 headset is finally going into retail availability, a major step in the distribution of the virtual reality headset which has been hitherto sold online on PlayStation Direct in most markets.

Users who have wanted to buy the PlayStation VR 2 headset in most countries have had to order it online from PlayStation Direct. Following its release in February this year, the headset has been sold exclusively on Sony’s own online store direct.playstation.com.

With Sony now taking the device to local retailers, it is likely going to see a significant spike in sales.

In a recent tweet, Sony announced that the headset would soon be available in local retail stores thereby eliminating a major distribution bottleneck for the headset. There was availability in local stores in countries that are not served by PlayStation Direct but the latest move makes the headset available even in countries where the online portal is available.

PlayStation hasn’t announced the specific retail stores that will stock the headset in the future. Neither has it provided a date on when the virtual reality headset will be locally available. In the tweet, Sony only states that interested parties should check out their local stores.

Retail Sales Could Benefit Virtual Reality

The PSVR 2 headset hasn’t registered strong sales as was widely expected. It is estimated that by the end of March, the headset had sold 270,000 units. Other reports have stated that Sony instituted production cuts following low demand for the headset though Sony denied this.

Retail distribution of the headset could significantly increase sales. They will ensure easy availability while also allowing retailers to offer on-site demonstrations of the headset and allow prospective buyers to try the device out.

The on-site experience of the device may improve sales as customers immerse and see for themselves the capabilities of the hardware, something that is not easily conveyed by product trailers, digital images, or advertising.

Meanwhile, there has been a strong spike in the sales of PS5 consoles. The consoles are required for the PSVR 2 headset.

In the latest figures announced by Sony, the PS5 console sold 6.3 million units in the last quarter. Sony sold about 2 million units of the device over the same period in 2022.

Following the launch of PSVR 2, Sony had to grapple with supply shortages occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic. Because of this, the PS5 consoles were mostly sold via online retailers and quotas were imposed on the sales of the devices. Sony says the supply situation has now improved considerably and reverted to normal.

Since the beginning of this year, the console has been widely available to multiple retailers which has led to a sharp rise in sales. So far, Sony has sold 38.4 million PS5 consoles so there are enough of these devices for prospective PSVR 2 users.

https://virtualrealitytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PlayStation-VR-2-600x244.pnghttps://virtualrealitytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PlayStation-VR-2-150x90.pngRob GrantBusinessSonySony’s PSVR 2 headset is finally going into retail availability, a major step in the distribution of the virtual reality headset which has been hitherto sold online on PlayStation Direct in most markets. Users who have wanted to buy the PlayStation VR 2 headset in most countries have had to...VR, Oculus Rift, and Metaverse News - Cryptocurrency, Adult, Sex, Porn, XXX