Key Takeaways
1. Walmart and Target are reportedly shifting away from selling Xbox consoles and games, possibly indicating a broader retail trend.
2. A Target employee confirmed that the store has stopped selling Xbox games, while Walmart may be following suit.
3. Xbox products are becoming increasingly difficult to find, with Target’s Xbox section being dismantled and fewer consoles available online.
4. Neither Walmart nor Target has made official statements about the changes, while Costco has confirmed it will stop selling Xbox products in the U.S. and U.K.
5. Despite the retail changes, Microsoft plans to continue developing new hardware, though details about future Xbox systems remain unclear.
Recently, buyers noticed that Walmart has started placing Switch 2 games in the display cases meant for Xbox. According to TheGamer, this might indicate a trend that other retailers, including Target, might follow. Multiple staff members from these stores have revealed they are moving away from selling Xbox consoles and games. This shift comes after a price hike for consoles and Game Pass that received a lot of backlash.
Target Stops Xbox Sales
On Reddit, one Target employee mentioned that the store had stopped selling Xbox games altogether. In response, a Walmart worker chimed in on a post from Jawwaad127, suggesting that Walmart is likely doing the same. Various gamers have commented on how, following store renovations, Microsoft’s products have been completely removed.
Changes in Availability
Another shopper posted a picture showing Target taking apart its Xbox section. CodeE1985, an electronics manager, confirmed that all Xbox games, consoles, and related accessories will be disappearing soon. The Xbox Series X and S have become hard to find on Target’s website, with fewer locations offering these systems.
No Official Statements
Both Walmart and Target have not issued any announcements regarding the changes in Xbox availability. On the other hand, Costco has confirmed that it will no longer sell Xbox systems and games in both the U.S. and the U.K. In Europe, gamers were among the first to notice that stores stopped promoting Xbox products. There are also whispers that Microsoft has decreased the distribution of its items in that area.
Many fans believe PlayStation and Nintendo will gain an upper hand with less competition. Although sales for Xbox consoles were already declining, there are limited choices compared to the PS5 and Switch 2. Similar to the Xbox price increase, Sony has also disappointed buyers by raising the retail price of the PS5 once more. Now, there is even less incentive to keep the prices of these systems affordable.
Microsoft’s Future Plans
Despite these changes, there’s still hope that Microsoft hasn’t completely abandoned hardware. In response to rumors about cancelling a new Xbox console, the company has stated that they are working on more systems. However, it remains unclear whether these new products will be similar to the Xbox Series X or Windows PCs.
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