As a 'signed' artist I am able to buy CDs from the record co at £5 plus Vat each = £6 per copy.And I have to pay for them up front for those.
I don't get royalties from those that I buy so I have to sell them to make up for that. Plus I have to buy packaging and post them when they are bought directly from me via my shop. I do hardly any live gigs so I sell very few that way. And there's always the chance that they may get lost in the post..
All in all people might as well buy from Amazon or direct from the record co or any of the other online outlets.