I think you're going to see more interest in Z Scale driven by Micro-Trains and American Z Lines product. Some veteran Z Scalers have said online that the single biggest thing this year that will increase the market for Z Scale is Micro-Trains introduction of Micro-Track (like Kato Unitrack in N and HO). While there are only some items available, for instance the turnouts just debuted this fall, it's definitely causing some people to consider Z Scale.
In addition, Micro-Trains has ramped up releases of Z Scale rolling stock-- they are up to 3 or 4 items a month now versus one or zero per month when I started writing the UMTRR. AZL focuses on locomotives, at least for now, and they are pretty pricey in comparison to N or HO. (M-T's are in the $200 range MSRP also.)
With more interest comes more volume, and perhaps lower prices.