As we see the daily photos of the fires, and choke on the smoke that blocks out the night sky, I have been considering how the local astronomy retail market is surviving. I note that both of the major retailers are holding longer and deeper discount sales than previously, but what about the little guys? I am prepared to buy but not if I can't use it. I have to ask is anyone buying anything Astro faced with the prospect of a summer of smoke haze. Is this the new normal? Will the retail community collapse completely due to unsustainable trading slumps?
Sure Australia is a big country, and online sales to unaffected parts of the country do constitute a help, but subtract all of NSW from the market and what does that leave them with?