Updated
Updated · Kotaku · Jun 29
Target Raises Pokémon TCG Bundle Price to $31.99 as Scarcity Pushes Retail Markups
Updated
Updated · Kotaku · Jun 29

Target Raises Pokémon TCG Bundle Price to $31.99 as Scarcity Pushes Retail Markups

3 articles · Updated · Kotaku · Jun 29

Summary

  • $31.99 is now Target’s price for some Pokémon TCG products, including the Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle, up from $29.99 and above its $26.94 MSRP.
  • The higher prices appeared on June 26 and remained in place without warning or explanation, according to Polygon’s report on Target’s latest in-store and online listings.
  • Target’s move follows persistent shortages as scalpers buy up cards at retail and resell them at far higher prices, prompting some chains to capture that premium themselves.
  • The increase is smaller than GameStop’s reported markups, but it undercuts Target’s recent anti-scalping steps such as opening products before exit and requiring ID for some purchases.

Insights

Target once fought scalpers over Pokémon cards. Why did it decide to join them?
As toy prices now match resale markets, is the 'suggested retail price' officially dead?