Micron to Exit Crucial Consumer Business by 2026

Micron Technology, a leading memory chipmaker, announced Wednesday that it will exit its consumer business under the Crucial brand by February 2026, redirecting resources to meet surging demand for advanced semiconductors in artificial intelligence data centers. The Boise, Idaho-based company, one of the world's three largest memory suppliers alongside South Korea's Samsung and SK Hynix, cited global supply shortages and the need to prioritize enterprise customers amid a booming AI sector.

The decision ends nearly three decades of Crucial-branded products, including RAM, SSDs, SD cards, and portable storage, which have been staples for PC builders, gamers, and everyday consumers seeking affordable upgrades. Micron will halt new Crucial product introductions at retailers, online platforms, and distributors worldwide, though it plans to continue shipping existing inventory through the end of its fiscal second quarter in February 2026. The company will honor warranties on all current products and redeploy affected employees to other roles internally. Shares in Micron fell 2.6 percent in afternoon trading following the announcement.

Micron's shift reflects broader strains in the...