Sony increases the PlayStation 5 prices in the United States while tariff fears persist

Sony is PlayStation 5 Gaming consoles in the United States will jump by around $ 50 (£ 37.16) from Thursday while the Japanese technology giant is struggling with growing costs and an slowing video game market.

Like many global companies, the company is faced with a “difficult economic environment”, said Isabelle Tomatis, vice-president of the world marketing of Sony Interactive Entertainment in a blog article.

The three PlayStation 5 consoles will see a similar price increase. The most expensive pro version now has a recommended retail price of $ 749.99.

Prix ​​increases come after US President Donald Trump imposed prices on most American business partners, including Japan, which has raised the cost increase.

“We made the decision difficult to increase the recommended retail price for PlayStation 5 consoles in the United States from August 21,” said Tomatis.

The basic PlayStation 5 model will cost $ 499.99 in the United States, she added.

The blog post continued by saying that the recommended retail prices of PlayStation 5 accessories will remain unchanged and that the company has no other price change to announce for other countries.

Japan exporters are currently facing a 15% rate on the goods they sell in the United States.

Sony increased consoles prices in the United Kingdom and Europe earlier this year, citing high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates.

American players have seen similar prices increases from other companies like Nintendo, which recently increased the price of the original Nintendo switch.

The price of £ 75 on titles like Mario Kart World aroused criticism from players on the increase in the cost of the game.

Microsoft has also increased the price of its Xbox consoles and accessories in various countries this year.

Large companies have warned the impact of prices in recent months.

This week, the American domiciliary renovation chain Home Depot said that some of its prices could be increased due to the new import taxes.

“For certain imported goods, the rate rates are much higher today than they were at that time in the last quarter,” said company finance manager Richard McPhail, at Wall Street Journal.

“So, as you can imagine, there will be a modest price movement in certain categories, but it will not be wide,” he added.

In July, the German giant of sportswear Adidas warned that American prices would cost him an additional $ 200 million (173 million pounds sterling; 232.9 million dollars) and confirmed that he would increase prices for American customers.

His rival Nike said in May that it would increase prices on certain trainers and clothes for American customers from June, and then warned that the prices could add about 1 billion dollars (730 million pounds sterling) at his expense.