The Key to the survival of bricks and mortar stores is to add value which is the same principle for any business to survive in a price competitive environment. The internet based sellers are limited in the additional value they can add as they are driven by price. But it doesnt take a huge amount of imagination to think about aftersales service that would give bricks and mortar shops a competitive edge.

I will give you just a few examples

How about providing a voucher that will enable a purchaser to try the instrument in the shop which they pay for up front but if they then purchase gets taken off the purchase price ???

Or how about after purchase providing the customer a with technical/musical support /advice via email or telephone from its own knowledgeable staff ?

or how about arranging workshops for its customers to get the best from the product after purchase perhaps on days that business is slow ?