You don't have to be afraid, if you sell quality products that people want.
But also I don't think it will be a temporary phase because it's a technical break down, unless the major stake holder backs off a bit, and you know who that is.
If I was a merchant I would naturally increase product prices, for example if the devaluation drops 10% increase prices in accordance to the drop. It happened in the recession, and it's part of capitalism. People who have crap products unfortunately will most likely be flushed.
It does not seem to have anything to do with Linden buying power, because a bird told me merchants still maintain the same, if not increased, buying volume.
It might have to do with the recent change in fees, which makes mechants hold on and wait to get the best bang for the buck before selling Lindens, thus selling larger periodic volumes or chunks than before, and making the market's controlling authority capable of offering whatever price those "panicky" merchants are willing to sell for. I don't blame the merchants, they will panic because they have bills to pay, and no one else, other than the controlling authority, will let them sell lindens for less than what the authority wants.
This wouldn't have happened if we have a free exchange market like before.
After all, I'm not against SL making a fair margin profit, so long as it's fair and equitable, complies with exchange matket regulations, and they invest it in things like updating their game engine, VR integration and other up-to-date innovations.