Official RIMOWA current-year introduction and price change was effective 01 September.
You will see prices increased between 25-65% between the previous generation models.
Many of the local brick-and-mortar retailers here in Germany began discounting their old inventory months ago to phase-in introduction of the current generation line-up.
As a result, I was able to pick up a RIMOWA Topas Titanium 32L IATA for €512 after VAT refund and RIMOWA Topas Silver 67 eTag for €538, after VAT refund.
However, LVMH also changed their retail agreements with many brick-and-mortar vendors in Germany. Of the four (4) authorized vendors in my area, three (3) have lost their contract extension to carry RIMOWA in their stores. In speaking with the vendors, they cited LVMH's direction to consolidate retail sales to their new flagship retail locations. This is in line with their current marketing and retail strategy of many of the brands in LVMH's portfolio. Unfortunately, this reduces the frequency in which customers can find good deals through former retail outlets.
As previously mentioned, all the current generation items have undergone product updates that were mostly cosmetic. Many have already been covered by FlyingKansan.
Even KofferDirekt has updated their online inventory to reflect the new strategy going into the new fiscal year.
For better or worse, you can expect similar changes going forward with RIMOWA being apart of the LVMH portfolio.