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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Greatwyrm" data-source="post: 2019302" data-attributes="member: 479">Looking into the future and seeing no changes has killed many businesses.  Look at K-Mart. 15 - 20 years ago, they were certain Wal-Mart couldn't match or beat their business model and didn't take them seriously.  K-Mart is only now beginning to recover.  You can't just say nothing will change in the next few years.Honestly, would you have believed me if I came to you in 1990 and said that in 10 years just about anything you want to buy will only be three mouse-clicks away from you, no matter where it is in the world?Look at the steps that have been taken just in the last couple of years.  A number of publishers already run their own online store.  Some don't even charge shipping, since they're getting a bigger piece of the cover price.  You've also got the beginnings of pdfs as a viable business model.  That's something no one would have believed 10 years ago either.Well before the next 10 years roll by, someone will find a way to maintain their customers and completely (or nearly so) cut out distributors.  Whoever does is going to make a crapload of money and all of their competitors are going to be scrambling to catch up.  I don't know who or how, but someone will find a way.</blockquote>