Pokémon card sales halted over security concerns

(FASTNEWS |  WASHINGTON) – US retail giant Target is suspending in-store sales of Pokémon and sports trading cards amid safety concerns as customers vie for the collectibles.

Target, which has over 1,900 outlets in the US, made the decision after a man drew a gun in a fight over trading cards outside a store in Wisconsin.

“The safety of our guests and our team is our top priority,” the company said in a statement to US media.

Sales of trading cards have rocketed amid the pandemic.

The suspension of in-store sales is temporary, the company said, adding that online sales are not affected.

Walmart, a top competitor to Target, says they have also seen increasing demand, but do not currently have plans to block sales.