I think this is a good move for both Wizards and FLGS, as they have product to sell regarding DND in the coming months. Although the specialty reprints are nice, they are infrequent, and for some a tough sell.
Here Wizards is upping the content of the free to play packs with extra maps, and tools for the DM and players at the table with the introduction adventure. Hopefully it'll transition to better include roleplaying during the encounters than some of the previous seasons. Then for those who like the intro and want to get into it the DM, or the whole table can purchase the full adventure module.
Will this new model turn away groups, probably. Will other groups continue to play, quite probably. Heck for those who enjoy FR fiction, it might even bring in new purchasers of the product who might not have looked at it otherwise.
It's definitely a different strategy, and I'm curious to see how it develops.