Pokémon Pitch Black launch day hit by stock shortages at Target stores

Pitch Black – the gothic-themed Pokémon TCG set – launched on July 17, but fans who lined up at Target stores across the US found empty shelves instead of fresh product. Reports of missing stock are coming in from Minnesota and Pennsylvania, with social media and Discord restock groups full of frustrated customers who camped out or woke up early for nothing.

Polygon spoke directly to customers lined up outside Twin Cities Target locations who had already checked multiple stores and found zero stock. One Discord user summed it up bluntly: "One Target store had no drop, the other Target store had 20 ETBs." Even stores that did receive product are running a stripped-down selection – Pitch Black Elite Trainer Boxes, booster packs, and three-pack blisters on smaller fixtures than usual, with none of the typical accompanying products like Ascended Heroes, Perfect Order, or Destined Rivals boxes. Target did not respond to a request for comment.

Target has a close, long-standing relationship with The Pokémon Company and normally treats new set launches as a full retail event – cleared shelves, fresh displays, cordoned lines outside, and staff guiding customers through dedicated product areas. The breakdown here likely sits upstream of Target itself: the chain sources Pokémon stock through third-party vendors like MJ Holdings, and something in that supply chain appears to have misfired. Vendors sometimes randomize restock times to deter scalpers, but that practice is not supposed to apply to new set release days.

Stores that opened with no stock may still see vendor deliveries later in the day, since Target typically staggers product throughout launch day to give more shoppers a shot. Anyone stuck near a barren Target can try Best Buy, Walmart, Ace Hardware, or Barnes & Noble – though given the demand for Pitch Black, ETBs at those retailers are likely already gone too.