Nintendo raises the trade price of the Wii console in the UK, but will it affect consumers?

In the wake of a global recession and a weakening Sterling, Nintendo UK has increased the price it sells its Wii consoles to UK retailers. Nintendo, who have notably made a profit on every console sold from day one, has hiked the trade price of Wii by �18-20.

Nintendo have stressed that the reccomended retail price of the console will remain at �179.99, but admitted that it was up to retailers whether they would pass the rise onto consumers. A Nintendo spokesperson had this to say:

"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. 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."

Do you think a price-rise will affect consumers looking to purchase a console? We want your views below.