Target stores will pause stocking Pokémon, NFL, MLB, and NBA trading cards after their increasing resale value sparked fights

• Target will stop selling Pokémon cards in stores effective May 14.
• The temporary suspension comes after a fight over the cards outside a Wisconsin Target.
• The brand says the change is due to "an abundance of caution."

Target will be taking many of its trading cards off its shelves following reports of fights and collectors camping outside of stores as the cards skyrocket in value.

Sales will stop temporarily starting May 14, Target confirmed Wednesday, but cards will still be available on the retailer's website.

"The safety of our guests and our team is our top priority," Target said in a statement to Insider. "Out of an abundance of caution, we've decided to temporarily suspend the sale of MLB, NFL, NBA and Pokémon trading cards within our stores," it said.

The retail giant moved to take the cards off shelves after an incident that involved a fight over trading cards in a Target parking lot in Wisconsin last week, the Guardian reported. One man involved in the fight pulled out a gun after being attacked by four men over the cards.

The value of Pokémon cards has skyrocketed over the course of the pandemic. The cards' resurgence of popularity has caused problems for Target, Vice reported. Collectors have camped out overnight outside stores to wait for card restocks, prompting Target's corporate arm to suggest that employees should consider calling the police.

Target limited the number of cards customers can purchase earlier this month, according to reporting from ScreenRant.

The boom in the trading card market is unprecedented. The market for trading cards grew 142% in 2020, according to a report from eBay. Pokémon cards were the most popular category, eBay reported, with a 574% sales increase from 2019 to 2020.

Walmart on Thursday told Insider that reports it would stop selling some trading cards were incorrect.

"We have not suspended the sale of any trading cards," a Walmart spokeswoman said. "Like other retailers, we have seen increased customer demand, and we are determining what, if any, changes are needed to meet customer demand while ensuring a safe and enjoyable shopping experience."