The App Store is doing the right thing -- putting the apps that make them the most money in a place where they have the opportunity to make even more money.
That's fine and expected.
The mistake developers are making is relying on the App Store to solve their marketing problem, when it only really solves the distribution problem.
If you're trying to stimulate demand in that environment your only option is to lower your price (see, e.g., 3-for-2 sales at Borders). What developers should be doing is looking for marketing channels outside the App Store that drive people to the App Store with the intent of buying their app.
That's fine and expected.
The mistake developers are making is relying on the App Store to solve their marketing problem, when it only really solves the distribution problem.
If you're trying to stimulate demand in that environment your only option is to lower your price (see, e.g., 3-for-2 sales at Borders). What developers should be doing is looking for marketing channels outside the App Store that drive people to the App Store with the intent of buying their app.