Or it could go the other way. There could be fewer outlets and those retailers with the strength to survive can get better distribution terms from their existing manufacturers.
Boat manufacturers have always had the avenue of direct distribution available to them. Many smaller manufacturers have tried to build an equivalent product and sell it direct for a substantially lower price than their larger competition. Not one has ever succeeded in any discernable scale. The model has never worked and I don't see any reason it will now. I still remember the luxury tax days where the entire industry came close to disappearing and no one's direct-sales model ever took hold. Even in something like the parts business, the "warehouse outlet" models have never really taken hold. There's a very narrow sliver inside the vertical for the highly-capable do-it-yourself'er and support costs money. This isn't unique to the boat business. Visit any wholesale auto parts jobber, a construction supply, plumbing, HVAC or industrial supply house. You'll find knowledgeable, capable sales/support people on those phones, computers and counters. Even the professionals need support. And believe me, every one of those industries has attempted to "cut out the middleman".
In the days when 90% of the fast boat population was in South Florida, it had a chance. Nowadays we have go-fasts boats on pulled across the country. And they need support for their half-million-dollar toys. And they get that from the dealer.
