Target has been a destination for baseball card collectors and fans for decades. With 2022 well underway, many are wondering what Target has in store for baseball cards this year. After supply chain issues impacted the availability of trading cards in recent years, will 2022 be a return to normalcy or more of the same struggles? Let’s take an in-depth look at Target’s baseball card selection and what collectors can expect to find on shelves and online throughout the 2022 season.
Target had long been one of the most consistent retailers for finding recently released trading cards prior to the pandemic. Like most retailers, they struggled with supply bottlenecks over the past two years. The sudden surge in demand for cards, coupled with manufacturing delays, made it very difficult for Target to keep popular new releases readily available. Shelves that were usually stocked with 2020 Topps Series 1 baseball packs were often left bare. While dedicated card hunters refreshed the Target app frequently in hopes of finding restocks, it was a challenge even for them to get their hands on the latest and greatest products.
Target took some heat from frustrated collectors during this time as accountability for empty shelves fell on the retailers. In reality, the entire trading card industry was overwhelmed by unprecedented demand that outpaced printing and distribution capacities. Slowly but surely, those supply chains have started rebounding in 2022. The question is, has Target been able to secure larger and steadier allocations that will keep its stores and website better stocked compared to recent years? Early indications are a bit mixed.
Through the first few months of 2022, Target has had some baseball cards in stock but the selection and availability has still been inconsistent. Newer high-end products tend to sell out within days or hours of being put on shelves or going live online. Mainstream releases like Series 1 and 2 hobby boxes, blasters, and packs are restocked periodically but go quickly. Value packs and hanging card packs seem to linger a bit longer but don’t last long-term on shelves either. The stock is improving compared to 2021, but demand remains high enough that it still takes dedication to find the newest products there on a consistent basis. However, Target has stated that supply is gradually increasing and they expect conditions to continue stabilizing through the year.
One positive development is that Target has gotten much better at revealing restock dates and times in advance on their website. Knowing a shipments’ ETA allows collectors to plan visits accordingly. They’ve also implemented more online-only card release windows to distribute products more evenly and cut down on crowded in-store launches. Target RedCard holders can gain an advantage too, as 5% off card purchases add up significantly. Their Buy 2 Get 1 Free trading card promotion around major holidays also provides good discounts. And browsing endcaps regularly pays off, as overstock and clearance items can be had for steals occasionally.
Looking ahead to the summer and fall, the biggest releases on the Target baseball card calendar include Topps Series 2 in June, the 2022 Bowman sets starting in July, Topps Chrome and Allen & Ginter in August, Topps Big League and Update Series in September/October, plus various special sets and products throughout. Participating in Target’s Wednesday morning restocks via the app will be important for those chasing the newest parallels, autographs and rookie cards. Later in the year, holiday discount periods could make gift sets and stocking stuffer boxes particularly enticing for collectors.
While Target may not quite match the flourishing card sections of yesteryear just yet, the situation does seem to be trending in a positive direction. As long as demand doesn’t explode to unsustainable levels again, Target’s larger distributor allotments and refined release strategies bode well for collectors being able to regularly find new cards there throughout the 2022 baseball season and beyond. Some frustration may still arise but dedicated card hunters willing to put in effort should have better luck at Target this year than the last. Only time will fully tell as the season progresses, but 2022 is shaping up to be an improvement for collectors hoping to add to their collections at big box retailers like Target. Stay tuned for restock updates and happy hunting!
