Dave, the problem with Gibson is that they have a strange retail policy now. Dealers are required to keep minimum stock levels of around £25,000 or they lose their dealership. That's a lot of money to tie up on stock. This means that it's unlikely you'll find a new Gibson of any sort in a small shop.
Doesn't affect the quality of the guitars though; I sold all my Martins to finance my Gibsons!

Andrew.