PS4 Vs. Xbox One: Sony Triumphs Over Microsoft In UK Sales

Sony’s PlayStation 4 outsold Microsoft’s Xbox One in the UK in just five weeks, according to the Entertainment Retailers Association, a UK-based trade organization that monitors the physical and digital resale and wholesale sectors of the music, video and video game industries. The agency reported that Sony’s next-gen console beat the Xbox One by 166,000 consoles in the United Kingdom. During its first five week of sales, the PlayStation 4 sold 530,000 units, with the Xbox One trailing behind at 364,000.

Kim Bayley, the ERA’s director, commented on the sales figures, saying:

"Games continue to deliver digital sales strongly, but it was disappointing that Xbox One and PS4 came so late in 2013 and then huge demand meant stock sold out quickly. Retailers will be working hard in 2014 to maintain the sales momentum of these two great new pieces of kit."

The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 have been battling it out in sales since their launches in Nov. 2013. Though the PlayStation 4 hit shelves in North America on Nov. 15 and the Xbox One launched in 13 countries on Nov. 22, both consoles have remained relatively close in sales. Each system sold 1 million units within 24 hours of its launch, leaving some stores without enough stock for eager customers.

In several countries, demand for both systems was so high that pre-orders were unable to be met. Due to the November launch for each console, Sony and Microsoft were largely unable to fulfill the needs of holiday buyers. In December, Sony’s UK managing director Fergal Gara responded to the country’s high demand for the PS4. “We are delighted by the initial sales of the PS4 and are proud to have set new records for a UK console launch.”

Microsoft Xbox Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer Yusuf Mehdi also commented on the rate at which Xbox Ones were flying off shelves, saying “eleven days in, we are seeing record breaking sales and are selling every Xbox One we can.”

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