Shelf inventory at our local stores has been declining for years. Fry’s Electronics used to have high shelves that’s went over your head. Now the shelves don’t go above your chest and there is still lots of barren shelf space and empty hooks. There is lots more “As Seen on TV” junk.
Lots of things we need are just not available locally or they are out of stock. Sometimes I try to buy locally and give up after visiting the third or fourth store with no luck.
Article points out Amazon has 550 million products available. Hard to find that selection in the stores in town.
The high shelves at Fry’s went away because people sued after injuring themselves getting things off higher shelves and due to shoplifters stealing things, just FYI.
However, your point otherwise still stands - lots of things one wants or needs are often not available in local stores, even in major metropolitan areas. Or you spend days calling/visiting stores only to not find it.