1. Sears
There was a time when Sears was the go-to destination for everything from appliances to clothing to power tools. It was the original one-stop shop, even shipping entire houses through its iconic catalog. But over time, bad management decisions, underinvestment in e-commerce, and stiff competition from stores like Walmart and Amazon slowly eroded its dominance, according to Shoshanna Delventhal of Investopedia. By the time it started closing stores en masse, most shoppers had already moved on.
Sears’ decline didn’t happen overnight—it was a slow fade fueled by missed opportunities. Its 2005 merger with Kmart didn’t help matters and may have even accelerated the downfall. The stores felt outdated, inventory was often lacking, and customer service declined dramatically. What was once an American retail powerhouse became a cautionary tale of resting on laurels.
2. Kodak
Kodak didn’t just dominate the photography world—it practically invented it. For decades, it was the name people trusted to capture their most cherished memories. But even though it developed one of the first digital cameras, Kodak shelved it to protect its film business. That short-sighted decision would come back to haunt the company, according to Chunka Mui of Forbes.
As digital photography exploded, Kodak was caught flat-footed. Its late pivot to digital and multiple failed reinvention attempts couldn’t stop the bleeding. By the time smartphones began replacing cameras altogether, Kodak was barely hanging on. It filed for bankruptcy in 2012, a shadow of its former innovative self.
3. Yahoo
In the early 2000s, Yahoo was everywhere—email, news, search, even fantasy football. It was one of the first truly massive web portals, and people relied on it daily. But while the internet evolved rapidly, Yahoo seemed stuck in place. A revolving door of CEOs and inconsistent strategy didn’t help.
They passed on a chance to buy Google for $1 million in the ’90s and later failed to successfully integrate acquisitions like Tumblr. Security breaches in the 2010s eroded public trust even further. Eventually, Verizon bought Yahoo’s core assets, but it was more of a mercy deal than a revival. What once felt like the future of the internet became a relic of the past, according to Daniel Thomas of the BBC.
4. Jell-O
Jell-O was once a staple at every American potluck, party, and hospital tray. Its wobbly texture and bright colors were iconic, and it held a unique spot in pop culture. But somewhere along the way, Americans just kind of stopped craving it. Changing tastes and a shift away from processed foods didn’t do it any favors.
Despite efforts to reinvent itself with pudding cups and new flavors, Jell-O couldn’t recapture its cultural dominance. The brand started feeling dated, especially to younger consumers looking for healthier or more natural options. Its parent company, Kraft Heinz, hasn’t made it a big priority in recent years. Now it lingers on grocery shelves more as a nostalgic afterthought than a must-have.
5. Gap
Gap used to be the epitome of casual cool—think classic jeans, white tees, and those iconic ad campaigns. It had a clean, simple aesthetic that felt timeless, not trendy. But as fast fashion brands like H&M and Zara exploded, Gap started to lose its edge. Its offerings stayed the same while the market moved forward.
The brand has struggled with inconsistent sizing, bland designs, and an unclear identity, according to Eliza Brooke of The Guardian. Even longtime loyalists began drifting toward edgier or more affordable alternatives. Store closures and underwhelming collaborations didn’t help its image either. Despite occasional rebounds, Gap just hasn’t found its groove in the modern retail world.
6. MTV
MTV once defined an entire generation’s relationship with music, youth culture, and rebellion. From TRL to Beavis and Butt-Head to groundbreaking music videos, it was the channel you couldn’t miss. But then reality TV took over, and the music slowly faded into the background. Shows like Jersey Shore got ratings but changed the network’s DNA.
As streaming services made music videos more accessible, MTV’s relevance continued to dwindle. Attempts to reboot older shows or pivot back to music have felt half-hearted at best. Today, it’s hard to say what MTV even is anymore. What was once a cultural force now feels like a brand trying to remember what made it special.
7. BlackBerry
There was a time when having a BlackBerry was a status symbol—email in your pocket! Physical keyboards! BBM! It was the business phone before smartphones took over. But when the iPhone debuted, BlackBerry dismissed it as a fad.
That arrogance was a major misstep. As iOS and Android devices rapidly evolved, BlackBerry clung to its old ways for too long. It eventually tried to pivot, but by then, users had moved on. Its 2022 announcement that it was ending support for its phones marked the quiet end of an era.
8. RadioShack
RadioShack was once the ultimate DIY electronics hub. If you needed a resistor, a weird battery, or a cheap RC car, RadioShack had you covered. But the digital age slowly rendered much of its inventory obsolete. And rather than reinventing itself, it doubled down on outdated models.
The rise of Amazon and specialized online retailers made it even harder to compete. Multiple bankruptcies and rebrands couldn’t save it. In 2015, most of its stores were shuttered or sold off. The name still technically exists, but it’s mostly a ghost of what it once was.
9. MySpace
Before Facebook, there was MySpace—and it was the place to be online. Customizable profiles, Top 8 drama, embedded songs—it was social media before we even had a term for it. But its chaotic design and lack of innovation caught up fast. When Facebook arrived with a cleaner, more cohesive experience, users jumped ship.
MySpace tried to pivot to music, but by then, the social media race had moved on. Its parent company fumbled multiple revamps, and trust never really returned. Today, it’s a punchline for internet nostalgia. The fall of MySpace is a classic case of being first, but not best.
10. Levi’s
Levi’s jeans were once synonymous with American cool. Rugged, durable, and stylish, they were the original denim brand. But as skinny jeans, fast fashion, and designer denim gained traction, Levi’s struggled to adapt. Its classic fits began to feel dated to younger shoppers.
Though it’s seen some revival in recent years, for a long time Levi’s failed to innovate fast enough. Limited online presence and inconsistent pricing didn’t help either. Competitors like Uniqlo and Madewell chipped away at its market share. While still respected, it’s no longer the default denim of choice for many.
11. Nokia
Nokia was a titan in the mobile phone world—its brick phones were nearly indestructible. It was beloved for its reliability, battery life, and Snake (you know the game). But when the smartphone era began, Nokia fell behind quickly. Its Symbian OS couldn’t compete with Apple or Android.
Even a partnership with Microsoft and the release of Lumia smartphones didn’t revive it. Consumers just weren’t interested in Windows phones, and app developers weren’t either. Nokia’s market share plummeted, and eventually, the brand faded from most major markets. It still exists in name, but it’s no longer the mobile giant it once was.
12. Toys “R” Us
For generations of kids, a trip to Toys “R” Us was pure magic. It had everything—action figures, bikes, video games, stuffed animals—under one colorful roof. But the company was slow to adapt to the rise of online shopping. Meanwhile, big-box stores and Amazon undercut its prices and convenience.
A crushing load of debt from a leveraged buyout didn’t help either. In 2017, Toys “R” Us filed for bankruptcy and closed all its U.S. stores the following year. Attempts to relaunch have been small-scale and largely symbolic. The toy giant that once defined childhood joy is now more of a memory than a marketplace.
13. Abercrombie & Fitch
In the early 2000s, Abercrombie & Fitch was peak mall culture. The moose logo, overpowering cologne, and shirtless models were everywhere. But behind the cool exterior was a brand built on exclusion, and that eventually caught up with them. A series of controversies, including comments from the CEO about only wanting “cool” kids wearing the brand, damaged its reputation.
Teens grew out of the toxic image, and so did the culture around them. Sales dropped, stores closed, and the brand quietly tried to rebrand. It’s made some strides lately with more inclusive marketing, but the damage lingered for years. For a brand that was once worshipped, the fall was very public—and very deserved.
14. Campbell’s Soup
Campbell’s red-and-white cans are as American as apple pie. For decades, it was a comforting kitchen staple and a symbol of convenience. But over time, tastes changed, and canned soup started feeling less appealing. Health-conscious consumers began scrutinizing sodium levels and preservatives.
Campbell’s tried to modernize with new product lines, but many felt like half-measures. It also struggled with innovation and failed to attract younger buyers. Store shelves filled up with trendier alternatives and fresh options. While still a familiar brand, it no longer holds the same reverence it once did in American homes.
