When I was a boy..(don't you hate it when old people start with that?!) Airfix models were available just about anywhere, even the local newsagent of a small country town in NSW. 1/72 scale were 69c. Today you need to find a 'specialised model shop', and possess a healthy credit card to purchase kits. I tried to get my kids interested once, but they just laughed. Internet, BeBo, X-Box, Playstation have all contributed to modelings demise.
Mind you, my modeling skills were so bad my brother and I use to hang them by string from the 'Hills Hoist' clothes line, set it in motion, and blast them with the Daisy air-rifle.