Target
TGT,
will stop selling NBA, NFL, MLB and Pokémon cards in its stores after increased interest in the hobby has led to at least one fight outside one of its retail locations.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we’ve decided to temporarily suspend the sale of MLB, NFL, NBA and Pokémon trading cards within our stores, effective May 14,” Target told MarketWatch on Thursday.
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Values of many collectibles including both sports and Pokémon cards have spiked since the pandemic began with rare cards routinely selling for millions on auction platforms like eBay
EBAY,
and PWCC. EBay says it has seen “explosive growth” in the trading cards market.
This growth has led to many people trying to get their hands on cards through big retailers like Target
TGT,
and Walmart
WMT,
See also: eBay has started allowing NFT sales
Due to this high demand, many Target stores removed all cards from their shelves and only sold them at its customer service area, according to the retailer. Shortly thereafter, the company put up signs saying that cards would only be sold Fridays at 8 a.m., causing people to wait outside in line for hours before the stores open.
One employee at a Target in upstate New York told MarketWatch that one morning in April people camped outside the store as early as 6:30 a.m. even though there were strong winds and it was raining.
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The long lines outside of stores have led to Target restricting how people can buy the cards, and in Wisconsin last week four people were arrested for fighting over a disagreement related to sports trading cards.
People waiting outside of a Target retail location in upstate N.Y. before the store opens for trading cards.
Weston Blasi/MarketWatch
Target informed MarketWatch that all trading cards will be sold online from now on.
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The new influx in interest surrounding the collectible cards industry has led people to send their cards into grading companies in an effort increase the value of their cards — the nation’s biggest card grading company, PSA, had to temporarily suspend new submissions because it was overstocked with cards.
The news comes as Target likely saw more benefit from stimulus spending than its rival Walmart.
