In reply to blenner:
> Why the panic? Is it not likley that AB bought S&R as a going-concern, to continue to do what it does at the moment, and sell what it does at the moment?
I'm sure it was bought as a going concern but I would be surprised if he didn't try to do something with it. And, I'd be equally surprised if that didn't mean selling (even) less climbing hardware and technical eqpt. S + R have been moving away from this over the years and I rather doubt he'll reverse that trend.
> If there was ever a time to get into this type of retail, surely now is as good a time as any, given the large and increasing demand for these products.
Increasing demand for what products?