This probably has somehting to do with several of the retail companies still owing Nikon money...and not being able to pay it....
Circuit City owes over 14 Million to Nikon before it went into bankruptcy and who knows what other retailers are doing as of right now....sales seem down...and everyone is looking for Black-Tuesday to bring them back....I do not think a lot of retailers are going to hit their mark this year....but only time will tell...