samedi 7 janvier 2017

Business/Companies/Brands we'll lose in 2017 (Predictions)

So what companies do you see going under in 2017?

Now I'm going to apply a very lose, variable definition of "going under." Most, perhaps nearly all of these companies will probably technically still exist in some form. The fact that their going under is noteworthy means that the names are worth something so someone will snatch them up. For instance I'm comfortable saying that Montgomery Ward and Circuit City are "gone" despite that other entities purchased their names for use with online retail frontends that are otherwise totally unrelated to their original brick and mortar stores and I'm comfortable saying Blockbuster Video is gone despite independent locations still existing and the name still be using for on-demand services.

1. Sears/K-mart. The selling of Craftsman brand was the final nail in the coffin. The other major namebrands; Kenmore and Diehard especially (and maybe Lands End), will get purchased by someone or otherwise continue in some form. As the Ur example of the mail order department store with such a history someone will wind up with at least the Sears name and the K-mart name might have enough ironic kitch value for someone to buy.

2. JC Penney's. The failed attempt at a brand/image remarketing a few years back was their last chance. Again some second rate online clothing/housewares reseller might snatch the name up but unlike Sears it doesn't have any exclusive brands anyone cares about getting the name for.

3. Office Max. Probably totally bought up by Staples. The "Office Max" name might survive for a while as a brand/line/service of Staples.

3. Radio Shack. This one has been on life support for so long it's almost a running gag. Years ago I would have put money on Radio Shack going under any day now to the point that a year or so ago I joked that Radio Shack was somehow functionally immortal as a company. And even know I'm hesitant yet again to say it because every reason you could give for it going under would have been 100% accurate 5 or even 10 years ago. It's getting harder and harder to make an argument for Radio Shack going under that can't be countered with "Well if that was true it would have gone under a long time go." But yeah it's day are numbered. There's a thin chance it might survive as a cell phone only brick and mortar store, but more likely it goes under and the name gets used for yet another crappy sub-rate online retailer.


via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/2i3qygK

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