The current economic climate sucks for just about everyone, but it’s about to get even worse. Panasonic Australia has announced that due to the financiapocalypse, plus a poor performing Aussie dollar, the company has had to increase prices on its consumer electronics goods, starting February 1. On average, the increase will be about 10%.You can’t really blame Panny for the price hikes – it’s better than sacrificing a whole heap of jobs, right? They’re still a business looking to make a profit for their shareholders, and although Microwaves are apparently going to increase by an average of 22%, Panasonic have made a concerted effort to keep the price increase for the good stuff (home entertainment) as low as they can.
With this news, plus the reports that Sony’s going to lose a billion US dollars this year, it’s looking like 2009 is going to be a pretty gloomy year for technology companies. We can only hope that it’s not so gloomy for the technology itself.
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Michael Aulia
January 14, 2009 at 3:45 PM
That sux.. and I thought the current recession should lower the price (due to people not being able to buy LCD TVs as much as before)
Report PermalinkAdam
January 14, 2009 at 4:35 PM
I work in electrical retail & this has been known for the last month or so, you will find there will be a 10%-15% increase across the board for all products. White goods just went up by 5%-10% on first of Jan.
Sony’s prices will rise on the 1st of Feb by 10% too with another increase on the 1st March. If you want anything buy it now because it will cost you more in one months time.
Oh and thanks Nick for posting this now people will believe me when I try to help them out by telling them about the price rise.
Report PermalinkRahux
January 14, 2009 at 5:46 PM
ahh :) I just picked up a panasonic 50″ PZ800A for 2850 with 5 year warranty.. (2550 + 300). Pretty stoked ;)
Plus it’s amusing saying “I want to wii on the TV” (say it aloud)
Report Permalinkken
January 14, 2009 at 6:58 PM
less sales and they want to increase prices?
Report Permalinkfrom what ive seen in the shops….the current economic situation and lowere australian dollar has already been factored into the prices of tv since december last year.
Arr Em
January 14, 2009 at 8:00 PM
The price rise will be the same with a lot of imported products. Previously it affected products from the US more than those from Asia, but the increased value of these currencies relative to the AUD$ make these products more expensive to the consumer. These prices started going up a while ago along with other electrical products, this is just another round of price hikes.
Report PermalinkCisco Networks hardware goes up 12% on Feb 1 in Australia, Western Digital has already raised prices, so has Toshiba, so has Fujitsu, so has HP, the list goes on… and the self-perpetuating downward spiral continues…
YD
January 15, 2009 at 4:04 AM
I didnt hear them slashing their prices when the aussie dollar was doing so well. typical of MNCs.
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