I hope that you stay busy Jenn and I am sure that individual stores in certain demographics will prosper while those in other areas may not.
The question though was more broad in that he asked about the industry, not how we were doing in our individual stores or businesses. I tend to look at the supply end to evaluate that as well as make a speculative guess on future consumer demand. I may be wrong, but overall I see a contracting industry. That does not mean that retail or etail is dead, it means to meet the "Race forecasted" national reduced customer demand, the overall number of stores and shelf space dedicated to the aquarium trade is likely to decrease. It does not mean that some individual stores will not actually increase profits while others cease to exist.
Why do I see a reduced customer demand? First, todays youths have a lot more options to occupy their time and money. I do not see aquariums as a growing trend with children or their moms. I suspect Walmart believes that too. Secondly, as Mitch stated, aquariums even to an adult are USUALLY a luxery item and cost money while making no monetary contribution to a retirement plan, education, or a general family necessity. Lastly, the green movement, whatever it is, will not have a paragraph, or sentiment, endorsing plucking ornamental fish and corals from the ocean for personal financial gain. They know from this board that mortality is high, sustainability is in question, quality healthcare controls are nonexistent and some species are invasive. They also understand the term "smuggle" and with sloppy paperwork etc the hobby cannot separate itself from that term.
In conclusion, without talking politics, there is a serious course developing of future taxation at every conceivable creative level which will help redistribute the wealth from the aquarists pocketbook to that of a nonworking or low income voter. That coupled with inflation leads me to believe that the average aquarist and their family will have less money to spend on luxery items. The trend will continue well beyond 2010. Just my opinion, I hope that I am wrong.