The highly anticipated release of Pokémon's Pitch Black trading card game set on July 17 has been met with confusion and frustration for some fans, as numerous Target stores across the country appear to be missing the product. Reports indicate that even customers who arrived early or camped out overnight found empty shelves where the new set was expected.
This situation is unusual given Target's typically strong relationship with The Pokémon Company. Stores normally prepare for TCG launches by clearing existing inventory, setting up dedicated displays, and organizing customer queues to manage demand and enforce purchase limits. The absence of stock on a day that is usually a significant event for collectors marks a notable departure from the norm.
Customers in various regions, including Minnesota and Pennsylvania, have shared accounts of visiting multiple Target locations only to find no sign of the Pitch Black Elite Trainer Boxes, booster packs, or three-pack blisters. Social media groups and Discord channels dedicated to restocks have also been populated with similar complaints, often accompanied by signs at stores apologizing for the lack of available product.
While not every Target location is guaranteed to receive large shipments, the issue seems to be affecting even larger stores, such as Super Targets, which historically stock new releases consistently. Some affected stores that did receive product have displayed it on smaller fixtures and are only selling Pitch Black items, omitting other recently released sets.
The cause of the stock shortage remains unclear. Target receives its Pokémon inventory from third-party vendors like MJ Holdings, suggesting the problem may originate with the supplier rather than the retail giant. While some vendors randomize restock times to deter scalpers, this is typically not the case for new set releases.
It is possible that some stores may receive shipments later in the day, as retailers often restock throughout the day to allow more customers an opportunity to purchase new products. However, for fans who arrived on release day expecting availability, the current situation has led to disappointment.
For those unable to find the Pitch Black set at Target, alternative retailers such as Best Buy, Walmart, Ace Hardware, and Barnes & Noble may carry the product. However, availability at these stores could also be limited due to high demand.