Microsoft has responded to widespread rumors suggesting that major retailers Target and Walmart are removing Xbox products from their stores, firmly denying the claims as speculation continues to swirl across social media platforms.

The Rumors Emerge

The controversy began when multiple Reddit users claiming to be employees at Target and Walmart stores posted about allegedly removing Xbox inventory from their locations. One user, working at Target, stated that their store removed all Xbox games and expected the change to be implemented company-wide, with discontinued products likely heading to clearance[1].

An electronics manager at a Kansas City Target location allegedly told staff that stores would no longer carry Xbox systems, games, or accessories, with similar purges happening across the entire Kansas City area[1]. The claims gained traction when users shared photo evidence of empty shelves where Xbox products once stood.

Employee Testimonials Paint Concerning Picture

A Walmart employee corroborated these reports, explaining that during a store remodel, the new electronics layout eliminated Xbox games entirely while condensing Switch and PlayStation products to one locked case each. The employee noted that in over a year working in electronics, they had sold Xbox games only a handful of times[1].

Multiple commenters validated these observations, reporting that their local stores showed either severely depleted Xbox sections or none at all. One user described finding remaining Xbox games relegated to “one half of one shelf at the bottom of the PS end cap case”[1].

Microsoft’s Response

Despite the mounting anecdotal evidence and online speculation, Microsoft has publicly addressed these concerns. The company confirmed that both Walmart and Target will continue selling Xbox products, directly contradicting the employee reports circulating on social media[2].

Context: Costco’s Departure

These rumors gained additional credibility following Costco’s confirmed decision last month to stop selling Xbox consoles, making it one of the largest retailers to exit the Xbox hardware market[1]. This precedent has heightened concerns among Xbox fans about the console’s retail presence.

Mixed Evidence

When examining Target’s online inventory for the Kansas City area, the picture remains unclear. Some locations show extremely limited Xbox stock—one store listing only a single Series S console alongside a handful of controllers and games with “limited stock” designations. Meanwhile, PlayStation and Nintendo products show abundant availability across multiple categories[1].

Industry Implications

The situation highlights broader questions about physical retail space allocation for gaming products as digital sales continue growing. Whether these reports represent isolated regional decisions, temporary inventory adjustments, or the beginning of a larger retail strategy shift remains uncertain pending official statements from Target and Walmart.

Sources:

[1] https://www.thegamer.com/target-walmart-stop-selling-xbox-reddit-user-alleged-employee/

[2] https://www.trueachievements.com/news/microsoft-walmart-target-xbox-sale-rumor

Photo by Vika_Glitter on Pixabay