Inevitably now it is an online world.
Funnily enough I recently came across an old Arc catalogue anongst some magazines etc from about 10 years ago. Just a couple of pages so it's great to see how they have come on over the years. At Bristol I came across Amadeal who might be the start of the same process of building up.
The real problem with online is the enormous postage costs which is why I like to go to shows. MEX was a disaster from that point. Luckily on Wednesday I was able to divert off a business trip in London to visit a trader's 'shop' or lockup actually. By also getting an item for a friend spent £130 while saving us £25 shipping. ( and I even get to expense some of the petrol cost)
Memory lane: remember Graham Engineering at the old shows. I still have their 2000 catalogue.