Sport gear is very hands-on, so it makes sense to go into the store to choose your next running shoe / tennis racket / hunting rifle... instead of buying the wrong one online and having to return it.
In general, my experience is that the higher the price, the longer and more intense the buying cycle is. It's not ground-breaking to think that but I also think it will indicate the last retail stores to bend at the will of online demand: cars, boats, engagement rings, etc.