Even though Amazon’s Kindle e-reader has been a top seller for Target since the retailer began selling the device in 2010, the Minnesota-based chain is pulling the Kindle from stores and has already stopped selling it on Target.com.

TheVerge.com was the first to report on this change, quoting a source as saying that Target had decided to pull the Kindle over a mysterious “conflict of interest.”

In-store Kindle sales will end by May 13, while a search for Kindles on Target.com only brings up accessories for the popular device.

An official statement from the company reads:

Target is phasing out Amazon- and Kindle-branded products in the spring of 2012… We will continue to offer our guests a full assortment of e-readers and supporting accessories.

So what is this “conflict of interest”? TheVerge theorizes it might have something to do with a recent partnership between Target and Apple to open mini-stores within Target locations. We think it has more to do with Target not wanting to make money for an online business that is set to become one of the top 10 retailers in the nation in the near future.

Perhaps Target is still bitter that it allowed Amazon to run Target.com for so long, especially after the retailer has had some very public troubles with its website since re-launching it last summer.

Target to stop carrying Amazon Kindle hardware due to ‘conflict of interest’? [TheVerge.com]

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