Having been in the quilt "industry" and attended a few seminars for quilt shop owners/teachers...
Hand quilters are not nearly as "profitable" as machine piecers/quilters. It takes a lot longer to make each quilt, so they don't usually buy as much fabric as a machine quilter. Statistically, hand quilters don't accumulate as large a fabric stash as machine quilters, neither do they make as many impulse purchases. They don't often buy the sewing machines and accessories and specialty gadgets. Many hand quilters use scissors instead of rotary cutters (mats, cutters, blades, rulers), so those sales are lost. Also, hand quilters don't buy as many books and patterns.
Many quilt shops stay profitable ONLY because of their machine quilting services.
It is in the best financial interest of the quilt shop to get you sewing MANY quilts - repeat business, fast turnover, and using as many specialty tools and books as possible.
I like hand piecing and quilting, too!