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Nintendo raises Wii price in the UK

12 March 2009 22:55 by Andre "DVDBack23" Yoskowitz | 14 comments

Citing the sustained depreciation of the pound against the euro, Nintendo has raised the price of the ever-popular Wii console in the UK, from an MSRP of GBP 179.99 to 199.99 meaning that consumers will most likely see a price hike as well, unless retailers are willing to take the giant hit on their profit margins.

"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," said the company in a statement. "The price that they then offer to consumers is, of course, up to the retailers."

"We are only � reluctantly � raising our trade price now to retailers due to unprecedented and sustained depreciation of the pound. This is a problem brought about by extreme currency fluctuations that are a symptom of the global economic situation," added Nintendo.

Don McCabe, managing director of the gaming retailer Chips, spoke out in surprise at the decision and believes the company should have released the console with the GBP 199 price tag from the start.

"It's a first," he mused. "I can't remember any other console that has been launched, been on the market for a couple of years and then gone up in price. It's an absolute first."

"Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but I think Nintendo could have sold all the machines that they have done at the GBP 199 price point, because we've effectively had shortages from day one, pretty much all the way through."

McCabe also noted that retailers will have to up the price of the console: "I don't think any retailer has got the ability to soak up that sort of margin change. I think I saw one story that said the supermarkets wouldn't be passing the price point on but I think they will. I don't think any retailer can take that sort of squeeze."

Permalink to this article | Topic: Consoles

Nintendo DSi is hot seller in the UK (7 April 2009)

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Nintendo Wii continues success in US (20 March 2009)

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Discuss this article!
jos22 (Newbie) 13 March 2009 0:11
what a crock. the Wii should be getting a price cut not an increase. Nintendo are turning into Sony now overcharging for their products [ + quote]
Azuran (Newbie) 13 March 2009 0:24
*Originally posted by jos22:* what a crock. the Wii should be getting a price cut not an increase. Nintendo are turning into Sony now overcharging for their products supply....demand...and all that jazz... [ + quote]
DXR88 (Senior Member) 13 March 2009 0:27
I dont see what the problem is when the pound is worth more than the US dollar and the Canadian dollar is worth more than the US dollar. Sounds like a load of bullocks to me. [ + quote]
DVDBack23 (Staff Member) 13 March 2009 0:45
Canadian dollar is worth significantly less than the USD, about 0.7823 as of writing and the pound has been losing significant value to the euro for example: In November 2008, the euro was worth .76 it has now appreciated to .93 or so. [ + quote]
DXR88 (Senior Member) 13 March 2009 1:16
*Originally posted by DVDBack23:* Canadian dollar is worth significantly less than the USD, about 0.7823 as of writing and the pound has been losing significant value to the euro for example: In November 2008, the euro was worth .76 it has now appreciated to .93 or so. With all due respect any thing is worth more than the US dollar where the US dollar is made. rather a twist on words but you get the idea. Still a load of bullocks, no reason to raise the price. sure the money around the globe is going down the drain so why do we raise the price only here. it would seem to me if it was were not making enough in tough times issue, Sony would follow suit. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 13 March 2009 1:28
20TONS (Newbie) 13 March 2009 1:54
Gaming consoles have always been overpriced. When Sega released their Genesis model it was priced at $149.00 and the games were on average $50.00 each. I'll wait for the Wii or Playstation 3 to show up in a discount bin or a thrift store for a fraction of the retail price. No wonder users result to modding their consoles and pirating games. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 13 March 2009 4:10
Regional price shemeing to enhance already record high profits.... ah corporate...your days are numbered.... [ + quote]
beanos66 (Junior Member) 13 March 2009 13:34
We in the U.K. are always overcharged for everything that's why it is known as "Rip Off Britain" And because the biggest culprit is the government when we try to complain the answer is "tough titty!" [ + quote]
bomber991 (Junior Member) 13 March 2009 18:12
All I've been reading in these responses is "Blah Blah Blah". Now here's the facts. As of typing this right now, the Wii has always sold for $250 here in the USA. And guess how many Great Britain Pounds $250 is? Is it close to 199 GPB? No. Is it close to 179Gbp? Yes, why yes it is. 250 U.S. dollars = 178.954903 British pounds http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=250+usd+to+gbp Sorry British people, but you guys are getting screwed. I sure as hell have never heard of a console manufacturer, computer manufacturer, tv manufacturer, or any other kind of electronics manufacture raising prices on existing products. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 13 March 2009 23:35
*Originally posted by bomber991:* All I've been reading in these responses is "Blah Blah Blah". Now here's the facts. As of typing this right now, the Wii has always sold for $250 here in the USA. And guess how many Great Britain Pounds $250 is? Is it close to 199 GPB? No. Is it close to 179Gbp? Yes, why yes it is. 250 U.S. dollars = 178.954903 British pounds http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=250+usd+to+gbp Sorry British people, but you guys are getting screwed. I sure as hell have never heard of a console manufacturer, computer manufacturer, tv manufacturer, or any other kind of electronics manufacture raising prices on existing products. When you get 50-150$ more a unit you normally don't have to... [ + quote]
OFI (Newbie) 14 March 2009 7:13
*Originally posted by bomber991:* All I've been reading in these responses is "Blah Blah Blah". Now here's the facts. As of typing this right now, the Wii has always sold for $250 here in the USA. And guess how many Great Britain Pounds $250 is? Is it close to 199 GPB? No. Is it close to 179Gbp? Yes, why yes it is. 250 U.S. dollars = 178.954903 British pounds http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=250+usd+to+gbp Sorry British people, but you guys are getting screwed. I sure as hell have never heard of a console manufacturer, computer manufacturer, tv manufacturer, or any other kind of electronics manufacture raising prices on existing products. We've been getting screwed on electricals for a long time.. I mean it wasn't so long ago USD to the GBP was 2:1, the Wii was not �125 then either.. I suspect we will now see a return to all of the stores selling ONLY bundled versions with 1 or 2 games to try and disguise the new price and spread it out a little. [ + quote]
Tecbot (Newbie) 14 March 2009 12:04
crappy games and crappy price now...no idea how the piece of exercise equipment still sells so well. Doubt sony overcharged for there product as they were losing money on every unit sold as nintendo was making money on every unit sold so it would seem nintendo from the get go overcharged for there products and not sony. less fanboyism please next time. [ + quote]
DXR88 (Senior Member) 14 March 2009 12:24
*Originally posted by Tecbot:* crappy games and crappy price now...no idea how the piece of exercise equipment still sells so well. Doubt sony overcharged for there product as they were losing money on every unit sold as nintendo was making money on every unit sold so it would seem nintendo from the get go overcharged for there products and not sony. less fanboyism please next time. Sony doesnt lose anything its other electronics cant make up for EX its LCDs Are about 100 dollors to much. Nintendo on the other Hand is still Churning out game consoles and only game consoles. Nintendo made enough money with its Famicom And SFamicom linup so it could still stay in the game when sony released the playstation. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 14 March 2009 14:35
*Originally posted by Tecbot:* crappy games and crappy price now...no idea how the piece of exercise equipment still sells so well. Doubt sony overcharged for there product as they were losing money on every unit sold as nintendo was making money on every unit sold so it would seem nintendo from the get go overcharged for there products and not sony. less fanboyism please next time. The WII is partiality a disappointment but no more so than the 7th Generation of gaming in it entirety. Its hard to over price something that's already to expensive to begin with and that's the crux of normal console pricing. [ + quote]