I can see the 80/20 split as the big boys out sell much of the boutique brands here, but the boutique brands still see (he did miss a few bigger names as pointed out). A lot of the boutique brands are still associated with a larger more recognized company anyway. Look at Tatuaje, AJ Fernandez makes something for everyone, Viaje, etc. They have smaller names and have less recognition, but they are still sought after. It depends on the brand, Tatuaje is a recognizable boutique and it will sell however Don whatshisface cigars aren't known at all and probably won't sell unless someone puts them in your hand and then they would have to be the best cigar you've ever smoked (very unlikely).
I think the difference is that on a forum like this is that all of you members have a little more passion/view it as more of a hobby and like to try the stuff that isn't an everyday brand so you see a lot more boutique brands talked about here than you might in a small B&M. I would also imagine that most B&Ms are too small to carry many of the boutique brands so they stick to what people know and recognize. Many first timers or people new to cigars focus more on a recognizable brand and it isn't until they talk to a B&M, read a few magazines, online posts, or articles that they start to branch out.
I would say he is right for a majority of B&Ms, but because the majority are very small shops with limited space/facings. The boutique boom isn't over, it may slow down, but that's as far as its gone. Every year at the IPCPR there countless new brands trying to break into the market. Most of them don't make it, but there are plenty more waiting to try the next year. The trend amoung consumers is "what's new?" They may not get a following and die off but a lot of cigar enthusiast want to try the next "best" thing.
I would compare it closely to the world of beer drinkers. You have your bud, miller, coors, etc. drinkers and then you have everyone else that enjoys a good craft beer and wants to try something new and different.
