You could go a lot further with the shop closure by asking the question.

How many modelers have gone to a model shop in the last year.

How many have Never been to a model shop and buy only on line.

Sorry but I fall into the Never been to a model shop.
I guess the reason being just about anything is now on line.
Easy to sit down in the evening or weekend and just look about on the internet and find and buy with no hassle no crowds and can be done when You feel like it.

It's a sad fact that this could be the way things could be done in years to come.

So in the end it all boils down to Use it or loose it

It is such a shame that closures like this are happening all over now, I agree with Sonar that if you don't have a model shop nearby then the only way is to order online from a large supplier, it is a shame that the internet is causing small family stores to close.

There are a lot of hobby and model shops closing throughout the country.

When you think about it you walk into a model shop and expect to see loads of model kits and even more choices of fittings Spare parts and extras including a selection of electronics.

I guess that is money tied up in stock just in case some some customer wants a specific item. or small items.

If you walked into a shop and all there was were catalogues and you then had to wait for the items to arrive it is hardly worth keeping a shop going .

So a smaller amount of stock saleable on line.

Quite a few like myself have no hobby or model shop near to them so shopping on line is the easier to to obtain items.

Then there are Supermarkets and numerous other specialized shops now on line. and who knows how many model items are only on a web site. Boat hulls for choice most if not all now on line.

So I would have thought soon everything will be an easy option online for both the seller and buyer. Ebay is another option and a few website only hobby shops are there as well.