Costco Discontinues Xbox Console Sales
In a significant development for Xbox availability, wholesale retail giant Costco has reportedly ceased selling Microsoft’s gaming hardware. The news was confirmed by popular blogger Destin Legarie, who shared details of his direct inquiry with the company.
“Business Decision” Leads to Xbox Removal
Legarie posted on social media that upon calling Costco to inquire about Xbox stock, a company representative informed him that they would no longer be carrying Xbox consoles. The statement from Costco was clear: “We don’t have any plans going forward to carry an Xbox console.” The reason provided for this change was simply described as “a business decision.”
Interestingly, while Xbox appears to be phased out, Costco did mention that they still have “some great deals on Switch & PlayStation,” indicating that the retailer will continue to stock rival gaming platforms from Nintendo and Sony.
Follows Reports of Online Disappearance
This official confirmation comes after earlier observations by consumers who noticed that Xbox consoles had seemingly vanished from Costco’s website. It appears that these initial reports were accurate, and gamers should no longer expect to find new Xbox Series X or S units available through the retailer, at least for the foreseeable future.
Coincides with US Price Increases
The timing of Costco's decision is particularly noteworthy as it aligns with recent price hikes for Xbox consoles in the United States. Earlier this month, Microsoft increased the cost of all Xbox Series models for the US market. The Xbox Series S saw a $20 increase, the standard Xbox Series X rose by $50, and the limited-edition 2TB Galaxy Edition of the Series X experienced a substantial $70 price jump.
Microsoft attributed these price adjustments to “changes in the macroeconomic environment,” emphasizing that these increases would only affect the American market.
What This Means for Gamers
Costco’s decision to stop selling Xbox consoles, coupled with Microsoft’s recent price increases, marks a notable shift in the US gaming retail landscape. For consumers looking to purchase an Xbox, this means one less major retailer option, potentially requiring them to seek out other stores or online marketplaces. While the exact reasoning behind Costco’s “business decision” remains internal, it’s a development that could influence how and where players acquire their Xbox consoles in the future.
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