Have Amazon UK managed to force up price of new CD's?

I have not done any scientific study on this, but have Amazon finally achieved their aim of crushing all competition (with the exception of HMV/Fopp), to enable prices to now start rising?

As I have some Amazon credit vouchers I was looking at ordering Prince's 'Piano and Microphone' last night, it was priced at £12.99. I personally wouldn't mind paying a bit more for new releases, but held fire from ordering.

Also looking at the new Suede album, so both new releases last Friday.

On checking Amazon this morning, they are wanting £13.85 for the Prince album and £12.85 for Suede's 'The Blue Hour'.

Now, I understand pricing can change all the time, but really surprised that both these albums, in their first week of release, are priced this way.

A sign of things to come?

Going to pop into Fopp on the way to work to see what they are wanting for these albums.

Anyone else noticing this trend?

 

Can't seem to edit my original post to add that I went into Fopp and the Suede album was £10, so bought there (always prefer to buy in the shops rather than Amazon, where possible) The Prince album was £13 there, so slightly cheaper than the current Amazon price.

If you factor in that if you only want to buy the one CD so not spending over £20 for free shipping, and are not a Prime member, you are going to add a couple of pounds on for shipping. So that Suede CD could cost me about £15 on Amazon, quite a difference.

I know not everyone is lucky to still have a decent record shop in their town/city, but people that do should use them before there's no other choices.

 

That's because there is only a 30 minute window to be able to do this.