Sony Europe closes Online Store; customers can no longer buy direct

In a baffling move, Sony Europe has closed down its online retail store for good. From today, if you want to purchase a Sony product in Europe, you can no longer do so directly. The Sony Europe website still exists as a showcase for all of Sony’s products and promotions, but if you try to access the old Sony Store link (http://www.sony.co.uk/store) you will simply be redirected to the homepage.

The move means that even the Sony Outlet Store (https://outlet.sony.co.uk/) is gone for good, so no chance of grabbing the occasional bargain or two. However, at the time of writing, the Sony Mobile Store in Europe still seems to be operating.

@nkellerns Hi, customers in Europe are no longer able to purchase products directly from Sony, but only from our retail partners.

— Sony CH & AT (@SonyCHAT) September 15, 2015

This news follows similar moves in the US and Canada, where Sony has been paring back its retail presence, both online and offline. At least in North America, there was ample notice ahead of the change. The change in Europe has happened suddenly and without notice.

Sony has good traction with its European consumers, so the change is certainly a surprise. Sony still includes a ‘Buy’ button against its products, but you are now directed to one of its approved partners such as Argos, Currys, Jessops, John Lewis and so on. We don’t know whether this move will see the number of Sony Centre retail stores cut back too in Europe, but time will tell.