Since I ordered these from Tobacco Pipes, and checked the prices from both TP and Cupojoes, I ? agree with you.I have watched the Sam Gawith drops closely over the past week. SPC was up about a dollar per 50Gr tin (generalization). Watch City was about the same as prior drop earlier this year. The only large price jump was the $17.98/tin at Cup O Joe's and TobaccoPipes. Both of these sites have been purchased by Sutliff and Cup O Joes changed ownership just last week. So it is the Sutliff distribution sites that saw that the larger price increase.
Just FYI. I'm not making a conclusion or judgement. But it is an important fact to know when discussing the price increase issue.
I saw a new shipping solution (Similar to retail stores like Macy’s, etc…) being used, shipped out of a warehouse in Va, etc… retail and logistics investments. I also saw price increases in other tobacco which are highly in demand.
I would assume the same as you, given my ordering experience - They have invested, and recouping the investments from tobacco which is in demand. Good thing about this is that it stays available a bit longer for people like me who grumble a bit on the price, but still opens the wallet