So this'll be a mix bag of different concepts and ideas. Take it for what it is and comment if you agree/disagree. But please provide some actual arguments for your opinions.
First up is decentralisation. Bitcoin may never go mainstream in the way say computers or the Internet have.
When it comes to computers you got the big names creating the hardware and also the big names creating the software. It's all very centralized and "safe" for the consumer.
It's the same thing with the Internet. Think of two sites you think represents or are very important to the mainstream. If you ask me I'd say Google and FB. Well both are centralized. Private companies and running these brands and services. Do most people seem to care about this when sharing their info Online? No. They only care for the value they provide.
Consider the Bitcoin bowl. Merchants (which are centralized) such as Bitpay will construct services around Bitcoin. This will inevitably advertise Bitcoin's technology in the same fashion as Dell promotes "lalala core processsor" this new" LED display".
Bitcoin will get marketing from the businesses that adopt it. Right now, I am seeing a whole bunch of merchant acceptance without involvement, meaning lots of merchants are throwing up "bitcoin accepted" signs, but they are not putting in the leg work to educate customers, and why should they if it's going to cost alot with no return. In order to reap rewards for both sides of the picture, merchants need to use bitcoin as a strategy, not a promotion. Educate customers, find a place in their evoked set or word of mouth.
I am strong on the fact that if you can excite your customers about bitcoin, your brand will be mentioned when they tell their friends... right now it's just a theory but there has to be some sort of grounding, and will be doing research in january to test. Likewise, a person who has had a smooth bitcoin transaction with you in the past, I believe, will come back for more business when faced with no alternatives using bitcoin, so if your brand is the only one in the industry utilizing these payments you should see a few additional sales.
With that said it all lies in the marketing and how you creatively communicate bitcoin to the customer. Everyone knows merchants save 2.9% here and there, now why is a consumer going to stop using cash ad convert to bitcoin... This queston to me is an industry specific answer.... ONline poker is what originally got me here, and it's a huge benefit to use bitcoin. This is going to be different from a grocery store, to a movie rental place, to a restraunt.
So right now i really think it lies within merchants to not only accept bitcoin, but promote it, sell with it, educate their customers and monitor the results. PErhaps loyalty will rise? Maybe bitcoin can be used as a way to discount upsales?
There's a place, we're in the grey area. I think big things are coming this year.
Happy holidays.