Gaming console demand is spiking across India, but retailers have almost nothing to sell

Enquiries for gaming consoles have seen a noticeable rise across Indian cities, even as most outlets report little to no stock availability. The uptick in interest comes ahead of the much-anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI), expected later this year. However, retailers say the surge in demand has not translated into sales, due to supply constraints.

A staff member at a gaming store in Mangaluru said they receive around four to five calls daily from customers checking on console availability. “There is demand, but no stock. Even if we arrange a piece, it comes at a higher price and not at MRP,” the staffer said. Another authorised retailer confirmed the supply issue is nationwide, not localised. “It is not just Mangaluru, there is practically zero stock across India. The last batch of around 18 units we received was sold out within a day,” an executive said.

A price hike by a console manufacturer is compounding the shortage. Global prices have already been revised, and retailers expect the increase to reflect in India soon. “The next restock will likely come at a higher price,” one dealer said, adding that this has led to some consumer hesitation and online backlash. Enquiries have remained steady over the past two to three months, with some stores reporting up to 10 calls a day, according to Yashas from Smart Hub Enterprises, who said demand exists but supply remains very limited.

With consoles largely unavailable, some consumers are shifting toward gaming PCs instead, with growing interest in high-end graphics cards and gaming setups. However, Nagendra Prabhu of Suprabhata Computers said that with prices of RAM, SSDs and processors also surging over the past six months, fewer customers are choosing to build PCs, and many now only enquire without buying.