the branding is curious as the original group in USA was called Tandy – also used for the higher value computers they sold from late 1970s (which were quite powerful for small business use and cheaper than many equivalent CP/M systems).
Down south the Radio Shack branding was occasionally found on small items but Archer, Realistic and some others were used; just before Tandy disappeared they started to sell many more “radio shack” branded items.
USA Radio Shack branches have always tended to be better stocked for “makers/home constructors” as well as finished components; but as they invariably resold Japanese/Taiwanese/Chinese items (so Amazon which deals directly with the Chinese suppliers took over) and recently Mouser and Digikey started allowing individuals to purchase using credit cards as have RS, CPC and Farnell and keeping stocks of components for retail is less profitable than finished items its not surprising the physical stores have declined.
Although the Chinese who supply Amazon do sell the components in real life stores across South China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, according to Professor Yong you can even buy stuff like surface mount chips at local markets.
