Oh me, oh my, capitalism? In a way but retail sales of any commodity are 100% customer driven. A friend of mine bought a new truck on line in Idaho and was 5k under the local dealer price before rebates. Had to wait 3 weeks and drive to get it as we live on the coast of WA.

So think about it. Service is really not much in anything anymore as it is mostly contracted. All in appliances, electronics, most electrical. Sales little better but at what price? 10% increase of retail? 20%? Service businesses are very different though as you are paying for it but they are on the ropes a bit. Used to be you booked trips through agents or 2nd parties. Now? On line and tag in the hotel and car and air and IT IS WAY CHEAPER. So travel agencies and outfitters are dying out.

It is Bill Gates fault ( and Al Gores as he invented the interweb ) as you can go online with any product or retailer track down the cheapest price and gauge the risk of services. As things steadily become more computerized you will see less small retail. More Costco, more Wally because as now anyone can find the lowest price for any item they want AND GET IT. They are not limited to the retailers in their area as it was 25 years ago. That is technology AND capitalism at work and it matters little if you and I do not care for it. ( I don't do Wally or Costco ) People will use technology will seek out and purchase a grade of product they want and can afford at the cheapest price they can find.

It is what it is.