With Topps cornering the market, there is NO WAY they will produce anything low-mid end that will not end up in the retail market. There was actually a conference a short time ago in Vegas dedicated to this issue - HTA stores are wanting LESS retail, while companies are pumping even more blasters/value boxes/rack packs, etc. that are taking the cash flow away from brick and mortar card shops. With all of the "retail" only gimmicks, shop owners are saying that they don't have enough "hobby only" firepower to keep them in business.
Tim