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After days of speculation, retail giant Costco has officially confirmed the removal of Xbox Series X|S consoles from its inventory. This decision, described by the company as a “business decision,” follows the discovery just three days prior that the Xbox section had disappeared from both its U.S. and UK websites.
Costco’s Official Stance on Xbox Hardware
In a statement shared with ex-IGN employee Destin Legarie, Costco explicitly stated its future plans regarding Microsoft’s gaming hardware. “We don’t have any plans going forward to carry an Xbox console,” the retailer announced. This definitive stance signals a significant shift in its product offerings.
Crucially, this change does not extend to other major gaming platforms. Costco affirmed its commitment to continue stocking hardware from both Nintendo and PlayStation, with ongoing sales for these popular console lines. This selective removal underscores the unique nature of the decision concerning Xbox.
A Challenging Period for Microsoft’s Xbox Division
This development comes amid what many in the industry consider a challenging generation for Microsoft’s Xbox division. The company has recently signaled a strategic pivot towards a more third-party publishing approach for some of its exclusive titles. Despite these shifts, Microsoft has confirmed its intention to release a follow-up console to the current Series X|S line in the future.
Is Costco Part of a Wider Retail Trend?
The situation at Costco might not be an isolated incident. Reports suggest other retailers could be re-evaluating their commitment to Xbox hardware.
Immediately following Legarie’s post, a user highlighted that EB Games Canada appears to be following a similar path. According to a commenter, an EB Games Canada employee indicated that the retailer is liquidating its current Xbox stock online with no plans for replenishment. A quick check of EB Games’ website corroborates this, showing only the Xbox Series S available for delivery or pickup. The more powerful Xbox Series X remains listed but is largely limited to in-store pickup, dependent on local store availability.
The gaming industry is now watching closely to see if more retailers will choose to reduce or cease carrying Xbox consoles, potentially reshaping the retail landscape for Microsoft’s gaming platform.