And yet I argue all this 'tension' is still preferable to an online-only store. There is just something about a physical location that evokes good customer service. Apple could also go online-only, and yet they aren't.
There's also a lot of state-by-state regulation around dealerships. If cell phone sales were regulated like car sales are, Apple might seriously consider going online-only.
Apple has huge margins that allows them to do anything they want. For the $35,000 Tesla, cutting the stores is the way to be able to reach that selling price.
