Large retailers in Hong Kong have raised prices for some Japanese camera brands, claiming reduced stock since the March 11 disaster - at a time when at least one industry expert says they should be falling.
A Canon 60D digital single-lens reflex camera that cost HK$9,788 before the disaster is being offered at three big chain stores in Times Square for HK$10,980.
A staff member at one store who wanted to remain anonymous said prices increased slightly four or five days after the earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan's northeastern coast. 'By March 16, it still wasn't a big increase - 3 or 4 per cent - but another four days later, it went to the [manufacturer's] suggested retail price,' he said.
Retailers rarely sell products at the suggested price because of competition, but the same model was selling at Broadway, Chung Yuen and Fortress for HK$10,980.
A spokesman for Fortress was reticent about motives for the increase. 'In the short term, we don't see any issue with stock because we have sufficient stock,' he said. 'In the long term, we are still liaising with the suppliers to see how the supply will go. 'For most electronic goods, it should be OK, and only a few Japanese camera brands will be affected.'
Another retailer slashed prices for some Japanese camera brands and raised other prices marginally.
'Before the earthquake, we kept a lot of stock so we only raised prices 1 or 2 per cent,' said Sunlite Computronics owner James Miu, who cut prices by more than HK$1,000 during a digital camera sale last week.