Traditional Thinking Is Out
Disclosure: I was around - very much there - during the first dot-com implosion. I remember my cohorts using phrases like, "They (clients) just don't GET IT" and other nonsense.
That said, I do honestly think that the combination of today's interactive technologies and the back-to-Earth economy brings an excellent opportunity to, truly, "Think Different."
This article deals entirely with retailers and licensing, but it's worth the read. If a retailer can change, why can't you?