Agreed, Bob. I do think it is good news for my neighborhood. Not so sure it is so great for the two brick and mortars that now compete for a fairly small market. I sincerely hope that there is enough support from the community for both establishments.
Sometimes (not always), having more competition within a finite area can help create market demand. Sometimes (again, not always), we have seen that too small of a supply means less market awareness...and when greater availability/awareness and supply enters the market...it can generate greater demand.
For example, take a desolate street that is 'off the main center'...add 1 restaurant...not much happens...add 6 restaurants and a little outdoor square...and it creates enough of its own 'central locus' that there is suddenly demand...even to the point that overall restaurant expenditure in the entire area (incl the main center) goes UP.
In this case, the only question is whether the San Diego area has sufficient wealth (i think it does)...that MAYBE with the right collaboration between the 2 audio stores, they are able to jointly create a greater interest in audio systems that fit into lifestyles of:
- audiophiles who are now excited about the ability to upgrade
- potential audiophiles who are able to get into a serious system more easily
- non-audiophiles who start getting headphones as Christmas gifts, maybe a Devialet for the house or 2nd home
I do not know the San Diego market well enough to make that call...but perhaps the 2 stores might consider this possibility. Presumably they are not selling the same lines, which makes collaboration a bit easier.
Even if the audio trend were flat (i cannot say if it is or not), there is always potential to have a local area market buck the trend for some time.