My (muddled and muddied) question really was: wasn't the board game solicited as a general release and not only as a Target exclusive?
Yes.STAR WARS ESCAPE FROM DEATH STAR BOARD GAME
(HASBRO/Ages: 8 years & up/Players: 2-4/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: May 2019)
Available at most major retailers.
There was a bit of confusion when these were announced. At the Toy Fair presentation they said "Target Exclusive" but what they really meant was that Target was getting an exclusive early release window and then they'd also be available later in a wider release.
The individual carded figures probably won't be back at Target (or Walmart) and will probably just be "fan channel" in the Fall (on or after Triple Force Friday, October 4th).
The Tarkin Death Star board game is open for anyone to order and it sounds like it will see wider retail release at specialty stores, book/game stores, Target, on-line, etc from now until Christmas time.