Update: I just updated the price watch section and I noticed a slight price increase across the line compared to the last update two weeks ago. This could be just a post-holidays adjustment.
Nikon price increase is already a fact in Canada, UK and Australia. Is the US next?
I do not have any information for now, this is just a pure speculation and an analysis based on the currency exchange rates from the past 12 months:
CAD vs JPY
107 -> 75 = aprox. -30%
GBP vs JPY
212 -> 138 = aprox. -35%
AUD vs JPY
100 -> 60 = aprox. -40%
The above three countries already got a price increase. Here is the USD vs JPY graph:
USD vs JPY
110 -> 90 = aprox. -20%
Do you see the pattern here? The percentage drop in the US is not so big compared to other countries, but it is still significant. Is the US next for a price hike if the USD falls to -30% vs the JPY? Is 30% drop the threshold? Is there a reason why Nikon should NOT raise prices in the US? What do you guys think?
Currency graphs source: DCErates.com