Tamiya has done a good job at producing a large selection of kits to fit the budget of almost everyone within the hobby. Yea brick and mortar stores have been struggling for quite a few years really, one by my place closed up without notice, Chinese distribution and over seas shipping really slowed business down and caused them to close. Now getting and keeping people within the hobby is difficult, and 1000$ kits are a giant entry barrier to get into the hobby.