The slide in the value of the British pound has prompted action by Nintendo to recoup, and retailers are left to decide where the burden of the price hike will fall.
In order to compensate for the decline in UK revenues associated with the sliding value of the pound, Nintendo has decided to increase the trade price for Wii by around £19. Speaking to MCV, a Nintendo UK spokesperson stated, "due to the severe and continuing depreciation of the pound, we are, unfortunately, having to raise our trade price to UK retailers of Wii hardware."
Retailers will be left to decide how this move will affect the price consumers pay for Wii, which has previously remained in line with the £179.99 recommended price set by Nintendo when the console launched in the UK during December 2006.
The pound sterling has lost around a third of its value against the Yen over the past six months, dramatically affecting the profitability of the British market for Nintendo. Price increases for new software on both Wii and DS have not been ruled out.
However, Nintendo has stated that they "do not expect to have to change the trade price we charge retailers across for the DSi or DS in the UK in the foreseeable future."
