This error means Target+ has taken your item off Target.com because it has been out of stock for a long time. Target treats listings that sit at zero inventory as unproductive and removes ("unlists") them to keep its catalog fresh.
The error isn't caused by a problem with your product data in Acenda. Acenda is showing you the decision Target sent back. To get the item selling again, you restock it in Acenda and, in most cases, ask Target+ to reinstate it.
The error you'll see: DATA_VALIDATION: Target has removed this item due to prolonged out-of-stock inventory.
Where you'll see it
Item Issues: In the sidebar, under CHANNELS, click Item Issues. The error is listed with the item's SKU and a Source of channel, which means it came from Target. The Attribute Path column shows unknown, because Target doesn't tie this error to a single attribute.
On the item: In the sidebar, under CATALOG, click Items, click the eye icon next to the item, and open the Channel Status tab. Click the Target+ tab (or whatever you've named your Target+ channel). The Status shows UNLISTED. Your Listing Action doesn't change, so it still shows what you set (usually FULL).
Tip: If many items show this error, use the Error Source filter on Item Issues (choose Channel) and click Export CSV to get a list of every affected SKU.
Why it happens
Target removes items whose inventory has been at zero for an extended period. From Target's side, an item that's always out of stock takes up space on Target.com without being available to guests. Target may also consider other factors when it unlists an item.
A few related messages work the same way and have the same fix: "Target has unlisted this item due to a prolonged period of no sales" and "Target has unlisted this item due to prolonged non-competitive price/ No Sales."
Don't wait too long: Once an item has been unlisted for a while, Target can also release its barcode. You'll then see a second error, "This item was unlisted previously; Barcode released after 60 days" (or 120 days), on the same item. Target won't accept that barcode again until the lock period ends, so you can wait it out or, with Target's approval, list the item under a new barcode. See Troubleshooting: Target+ error "This item was unlisted previously; Barcode released after 120 days from that previous unlist/last order date".
How to fix it
Restock the item in Acenda. Update the item's stock so it's above zero. For a single item, see How to manually adjust inventory. For many items, see How to bulk update inventory with the Import tool. If your stock comes from a fulfillment provider (such as ShipHero, ShipBob, Shopify or NetSuite), fix the count there instead. Its next sync overwrites any manual change you make in Acenda.
Check that Target will see the stock. Acenda only sends Target the stock held in warehouses mapped to your Target+ channel (see How to add and manage warehouses). If you've set an inventory floor for Target+, Acenda subtracts it first, so an item with only a few units can still show 0 on Target. Acenda sends your updated stock to Target with its next scheduled inventory update.
Keep the Listing Action on Full.
Make sure the Target+ Listing Action is FULL on the item's Channel Status tab. Once the item has stock again, Acenda automatically re-sends it to Target with its next catalog update. Switching the Listing Action to ZERO or UNLIST and back doesn't relist the item.
Open a case with Target+. Target decides whether to reinstate the item, so if it still shows UNLISTED after you've restocked, log in to the Target+ Partner Portal, go to its support or help area, and open a new case asking Target to reinstate the item. See the example below for what to include.
Watch for the error to clear. When Target relists the item, its status on the Channel Status tab changes back to APPROVED and the error clears from Item Issues automatically. You don't need to do anything else in Acenda.
Example of what to include in your Target+ case:
Subject: Request to Reinstate Item - [Your Product SKU or GTIN]
Product identifiers: The SKU, GTIN (UPC) and full product title.
Issue description: "We received a notification that this item was removed due to being out of stock for a prolonged period. (DATA_VALIDATION: Target has removed this item due to prolonged out-of-stock inventory.)"
Current inventory status: For example, "This item is now back in stock, and inventory levels have been updated," or "We have a confirmed restock shipment arriving on MM/DD/YYYY."
Your request: "We kindly request that you review and reinstate this item for sale on Target.com."
Important: Don't change the item's SKU or UPC to force it to relist. Target can treat the changed item as a brand-new product, which leads to duplicate or rejected listings. See How to change SKU values on marketplace listings
Troubleshooting & FAQ
I restocked, but the item is still UNLISTED. Restocking lets Acenda re-send the item, but Target makes the final call. Open a case with Target+ as described above. Also check the item for other errors in Item Issues. A missing required attribute on the item, or on another item in the same variant group, stops Acenda from re-sending it.
The item also shows a "Barcode released" error. Target has released the item's barcode after it stayed unlisted, so only Target can reactivate it. Mention both errors in your case. See Troubleshooting: Target+ "Unlisted Item" error.
I have stock, but Target shows 0. Check that the stock is in a warehouse mapped to Target+, that your inventory floor isn't higher than the units on hand, and that your fulfillment provider isn't syncing a count of 0 over your manual change.
How is this different from other "unlisted" errors? This error is about stock. If the message says the UPC will be listed by another source, Target has given the UPC to a different listing. See Troubleshooting: Target+ error "TCIN has been unlisted as the UPC will be listed by another source".
How do I stop it from happening again? Keep stock above zero on items you want to stay live on Target+. For items you don't plan to restock, set the Target+ Listing Action to UNLIST so they come off Target on your terms.
Still not sure what's wrong?Contact Acenda Support with the SKU and the full error text.
Related articles
Still stuck?Contact Acenda Support and Acenda support will help you work through it.
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