You're spot on Andy! I think we are seeing the end of retail trade, except for more specialised areas such as Dotty's. I've just been around the shops looking for tools. They don't sell quality tools in the High Street anymore so I had to go round the industrial estates.
Last week I found pairs of aviation snips (sheet metal cutters) for £35 a pair. I looked on-line and found the same ones from Amazon for £11 and £15 a pair! Draper drill sets were almost £40, yet I found the same on Amazon for £19.99. A blow torch was £32 on the shelf but £23 from Amazon.
It's the same with car parts. A set of ignition leads for my Golf are £40 on the shelf, but £19.99 on-line. CDs and DVDs have also been mentioned but they are also much cheaper on-line.
Quite obviously, the shops have to cover staff costs and running costs as well as worry about paying tax and rent - not to mention Health and Safety. It suits all retailers and buyers to shop on-line - but at the expense of the government and economy!