Factored into the tolerance is the temperature coefficient, because the tolerance is specified over the operating range. There are also 3 basic temperature ranges: Industrial, automotive, and military. I've used this to my advantage by spec'ing automotive capacitors when I needed tighter tolerances for my normally room temperature applications.

They also laser-trim IC's.

'Laser-trimmed resistors' will be the next selling point on a boutique guitar FX company's 57th clone of a Tubescreamer.

And before digital circuits. All I see now is 10k, 1k and 100 Ohm resistors.

Most resistor in power supplies would be different values. For digital stuff and low current applications (along with designated FET drivers) you dont need too much.