Multiple retailers across the U.S., Australia, and Oceania are pausing sales of the Xbox Series S and X, raising eyebrows among gamers. For instance, Costco in New Zealand is clearing out its Xbox hardware stock, and Sam’s Club in the U.S. has stopped selling the console online. Similarly, EB Games in Australia is reportedly following suit.
In a surprising turn of events, reports from Reddit indicate that a Costco unit in New Zealand is offering the Xbox Series X 1TB at half its original price, dropping it to approximately $255 USD (around €240). Earlier this month, customers found the same console at Sam’s Club in the U.S. listed for a clearance price of $369, down from its original price of $499.
Costco New Zealand Clearing Out Their Xbox Stock At Half Price byu/akbarock ingaming
Xbox sales have struggled recently. Data from VGChartz shows that Xbox holds a historical hardware market share of just 12%, while the PS5 and Nintendo Switch boast 29% and 56% respectively. Sales have plummeted by 50% since the first price hike in May 2025, and a second increase is slated for Oct. 3, which will raise the price of the Series X 1TB to $649.99 and the Series S 512GB to $399. If sales patterns mirror those following the previous price hike, we may witness an even sharper decline in October, making it less appealing for retailers to stock Xbox consoles.
This trend of low sales, compounded by another price hike that Microsoft attributes to “changes in the macroeconomic environment,” is prompting retailers to shift their strategy away from Xbox consoles. Moyens I/O has reached out to Sam’s Club for comments, while a Costco location in the U.K. has confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz their decision to stop selling Xbox consoles.
For years, Microsoft has transitioned focus from gaming hardware to its Game Pass service. This platform continues to expand, now featuring more significant game titles on release day, including Palworld in early access and the anticipated indie hit Hollow Knight: Silksong. In terms of hardware, Microsoft’s most recent endeavor involved a partnership with Republic of Gamers, resulting in the launch of the handheld ROG Xbox Ally X. It appears Microsoft is opting to collaborate with third parties for hardware releases rather than developing new proprietary consoles.
Meanwhile, competitors like PS5 maintain steady sales despite facing price hikes themselves in 2025, while the Nintendo Switch 2 has become the fastest-selling gaming hardware in U.S. history after resolving initial stock shortages.
As retailers react to Microsoft’s latest pricing strategies, it will be interesting to observe how these decisions impact the Xbox Series consoles and any potential successors in the pipeline.
What impact does pricing have on Xbox Series console sales? Pricing directly affects consumer demand. With the upcoming increases, it’s likely sales may dip even further.
Have Xbox sales declined in the past year? Yes, according to VGChartz, Xbox sales have drastically decreased, particularly following their pricing changes.
What alternatives does Microsoft offer instead of consoles? Microsoft has prioritized its Game Pass service, expanding more on game releases rather than focusing solely on hardware.
Are retailers halting Xbox sales a significant concern? Yes, it reflects broader challenges Microsoft faces in hardware sales relative to competitors like Sony and Nintendo.
For the latest trends and insights on gaming and technology, feel free to explore more related content at Moyens I/O.