Having said that, I've watched this thread with great interest until the day I would not be a LBR employee.
Yes, it can be difficult to get a job at a LEGO store. However, it can be done. If you're a huge fan, save yourself the heartache, I can honestly say that the discount IS NOT worth working there. Also, having personally seen the order sheets, even at 50% discount, LEGO is still making a 30% margin at the store level.
1. Australia Stores are in the works.
2. Someone claimed that LBR up until last year was an experiment....I beg to differ. I would hardly consider opening almost a dozen stores in less than 12 months experimental. LBR stores are CASH machines, same store sales increase on average 10% year over year, new stores set sales records and continue to climb. The store I worked in was roughly a 4-5 million dollar a year store, and it's run out of approximately 1500 sq feet. It was once experimental, but now it would appear that the FDA has approved the drug and manufacture has begun. (obvious metaphor)
3. TLG could care less about Walmart, Target, etc. Those big box chains purchase the product as a loss-leader, or to simply have variety at their locations. I always buy some LEGO with my milk...
If you need proof of this, walk through your local Walmart and see the shelves full, or sparse with no new product ordered in months, or just browse the 'Find Deals' forum on this site. Sure, there is the occasional S&H sale or store special, but NEVER have I seen a B2G1, B1G1, or discounts as large as 40-75% at a LEGO branded store. However, they seem to exist endlessly for all these other big-box retailers. While they are surely TLG's largest customers, they probably take the biggest hits just to turn the product in this economy.4. LBR stores are found in affluent area high-end malls, or in the suburban sprawl. LEGO knows their demographic. There are a few exceptions to the current model they are following, and those are the first 5 stores they opened in the US. Yes, I can say this because I have been to almost all of them, with exception for a few of the newest ones.
Ugh, I had more points but I need to handle a few things. I will add them later.
EDIT: I've been asked not to write my other points due to the private information contained there-in.
I will close with this: I'm definitely not trying to deter anyone from wanting to work for TLG, as they somewhat try to take care of their employees. Just realize that it is only a job, you will be yelled at by someone who knows nothing about it, you will work with people who could care less about it, and you will be paid minimum wage to do it, regardless of your knowledge of the product and history of the company.
And possibly employee benefits, insurance, rental space, etc. 
