Quote:
Originally Posted by Rainmaker
The problem for retailers is that amateur astronomy as a hobby/pastime is ageing.... <snip> ... I doubt that in a decade we will have any brick&mortar astro outlets in Australia......
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This is at least 60% true of our club in Townsville. At 40, I'm sure I'm the youngest active member.
Regarding stores, that depends on where you live. In Townsville, we have no real stores, it's mail order or nothing. I had to wait a year to visit my first real Astro shop (which was in Osaka, of all places). Going to Astro Anarchy in Brisbane was also an adventure.
I'd go so far to say that for people outside of the capitals, having real shops go mail order only would make zero difference. That said, I have 0% awareness what proportion of customers are within/out of driving distance of an astro showroom.