Following a series of markdowns of current PlayStation 3s in the US and Europe, yet more evidence is mounting that a cheaper PlayStation 3 Slim will be announced shortly. Just hours before Sony's GamesCom press briefing was slated to begin in Cologne, Germany, US retailer K-mart began taking preorders for the console.

Oops.

K-mart is running banner ads that indicate the console will be cheaper than its base model's current $399 price point. The site is currently hosting a banner ad that trumpets that "THE RUMORS ARE REALITY" and that there is a "new low price & a new and exciting PlayStation 3."

Meanwhile, the retailer's online store has a "Sony PS3, SLIM PRESELL 2" product page, which lists the console as having the 120GB hard drive first shown in images that surfaced in May:

PS3, SLIM High-Definition Blu-ray player for the best movie experience. Free PLAYSTATION Network membership. 120GB HDD for downloading games, music, videos, and photos. Includes DUAL SHOCK 3 controller. HDMI output for 1080p resolution. (emphasis added.)

The site also lists the 120GB PS3 Slim as shipping on August 24. Rival retailer Sears has also posted a "Sony PS3, SLIM PRESELL 1" product page with the same release date.

Meanwhile, game blog Kotaku was sent scans of in-store posters for retailer FYE that trumpet the "new low price" of both existing PS3 models--$299 for the 80GB stand-alone and $399 for the 160GB Uncharted bundle.

[UPDATE] Sure enough, Sony made it official in Cologne: A new, matte-black 120GB PS3 Slim will go on sale the first week of September for $299 (US & Canada) or €299 (EU).