Microsoft has dismissed growing online rumors that major U.S. retailers such as Target and Walmart are pulling Xbox products from their shelves. The reports began circulating on Reddit, where users claimed that Xbox consoles, accessories, and games were being quietly removed from stores.
The first posts appeared on the r/Xbox and r/GamingLeaksAndRumours communities. One user alleged that Target had removed all Xbox games and would soon phase out hardware. Another said a Costco employee told them the retailer had made a “business decision” to stop selling Xbox consoles. The rumors spread quickly, with some Reddit users suggesting that Microsoft was scaling back its console division. Others pointed out that there was little verifiable proof and that stores often change shelf layouts or rotate product inventory. Some Xbox fans insisted that the shelves in the Xbox section at their local Target looked empty, fueling further speculation.
Microsoft responded to the claims by confirming that Xbox products are still available through major partners. In a statement to Windows Central, the company said that Target and Walmart remain committed retail partners for Xbox consoles, accessories, and games. Microsoft added that changes in shelf space or inventory levels are routine and not an indication of any larger withdrawal from the retail market.
Industry watchers say the rumors came at a time when attention is shifting to new hardware from PlayStation and Nintendo. It is common for retailers to adjust their displays to accommodate anticipated releases, particularly as the holiday season approaches. Recently, Microsoft responded to another rumor that its next-generation console had been canceled, confirming that it remains committed to developing new Xbox hardware for the future.
However, the situation with Costco appears to be different. Xbox listings have recently disappeared from Costco’s U.S. and U.K. websites, and several Reddit users said they received confirmation that the warehouse chain no longer plans to carry the consoles. Some analysts believe this could be linked to Microsoft’s recent price increase, which may have affected Costco’s purchasing decisions. Others speculate that lower sales compared to competitors might have influenced the retailer’s choice to pause restocking. Costco’s business model typically involves a limited selection of high-turnover items, so discontinuing slower-selling products is not unusual. That decision, however, does not necessarily indicate a larger issue for Xbox’s retail presence elsewhere.
At present, Microsoft’s denial stands firm, and both Walmart and Target continue to list Xbox products for sale online and in stores. The Reddit discussions may have amplified isolated store changes into a larger narrative, but so far, there is no verified evidence that Xbox is being pulled from the major retail chains in the United States.
Them denying it is absolute bs. I have seen it pulled from quite a few stores.
Oh please 🙏 😭😭😭😭 noo!
They have been pulled from stores in my area.
We shall see what happens in the future
Crazy! I should check my local stores.
Only have Wal-Mart in my area – Games and Consoles/accessories still in stock.
Marketing ploy?
It does kind of seem like the Xbox is heading towards a death knell.
I just hope Xbox’s can eventually run Windows to make it useful and practical like the XBOX ally.
More misinformation by PS5 fanboys. Lol
Sure they did
Maybe if they didn’t jack the price of their subscriptions up more people would be interested in sticking with Xbox.