[entwisi]

But what we were discussing is the actual music/literature, not the experience of buying it. How many people would drive to town on their own, walk into the music shop, on their own, pick up the CD, go to the desk, at most say hello, get their change, walk out the shop and head home, again on their own. The key is with whom you listen the music itself (but tbh, you don't talk over it, you sit to listen). again with literature, this is another passtime that is quite insular in its first instance. You may choose to discuss the book with friends but that happens after the actual experience itself.

Granted you can't try clothes on but as for browsing books, things like amazons recommended and last.fm you can find out what others who have similar tastes read/listen to and expand your own preferences that way.

I'm not saying everyone should do it this way either, just that as opposed to the OP's thoughts, this stuff is available in what is effectively a larger shop than Accrington could ever hope to maintain.