11/07/2024

19 Products Rejected by Millennials That Are Hurting the Economy

Every time you turn around, it feels like there’s a new trend that pushing the good old stuff off the shelves. Millennials are completely changing up the economy with the things that they’re not buying, and it’s causing more than a few problems. Here are 19 things that they’re not buying and how it’s affecting the American economy.

Landline Telephones

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Who needs a landline when you’ve got a smartphone in your pocket? Millennials certainly don’t. They’d rather use their mobile phones to do practically everything, and it’s causing major issues for traditional phone companies. They have to find new ways to stay relevant in a world where the youngest generation prefers texting over talking.

Cable TV Subscriptions

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Once upon a time, everyone would rush home to catch their favorite TV show, but those days are fading fast. Thanks to streaming services, millennials would rather binge-watch shows whenever they want, so cable subscriptions are getting the boot. Cable companies have to up their game with better options if they want to keep up with Netflix.

Print Newspapers and Magazines

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Millennials spend practically their entire lives online, so it’s no surprise they’d rather catch up on the news through their screens than flip through a newspaper. It’s causing some issues for print media and forcing them to improve their online presence. They’ve got to get creative with how they deliver both news and content.

Traditional Gyms

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While some millennials still hit the old-school gym, many are exercising right from their living rooms. In fact, research shows that just under half of them are working out at home. If they’re looking to do yoga or pilates, they might even go to a trendy boutique studio. Traditional gyms really need to spice things up to keep young people engaged.

Canned Food

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Eating fresh and healthy is pretty important for young people, meaning that canned food just doesn’t cut it anymore. They’d rather know where their food comes from and how it’s made. If the food industry wants to compete, it needs to offer more organic and locally sourced options for the younger generation.

Fabric Softener

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Research shows that fabric softeners are actually unnecessary and can actually damage your clothes. Many millennials are aware of this, as well as the environmental impact of using chemicals like this, so they’re skipping them. They’d much rather use a greener alternative, like white vinegar.

Bars of Soap

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Just because millennials have stopped buying bars of soap doesn’t mean they’ve suddenly become a lot dirtier. Instead, millennials would rather use liquid soap and body washes because they think they’re much more hygienic and convenient. Those classic soaps are getting left behind.

Breakfast Cereals

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Millennials don’t want to sit down for a bowl of cereal anymore. They’d rather have a quick and healthy breakfast that fits their busy lifestyles, such as smoothies or overnight oats. Many cereal companies have to reinvent their products with healthier ingredients to grab young people’s attention.

Manual Transmission Cars

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When you can drive an automatic, a manual car feels like too much of a hassle. Millennials prefer the ease of using an automatic, which is making car manufacturers focus more on these models as they create future cars. And with all those new electric vehicle inventions, which are mostly automatic, it looks like manuals might disappear forever.

Business Suits

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Millennials have completely changed dress codes in the workplace because they often go for more casual looks instead. This has caused sales for traditional business suits to decline, pushing the fashion industry to offer more relaxed clothing options. Forget smart clothing because smart-casual outfits are where it’s at now.

Irons and Ironing Boards

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Speaking of casual clothing, millennials like to keep things relaxed at home, and that’s why they’re huge fans of low-maintenance fashion. Irons and ironing boards are pretty much pointless for many millennials, thanks to the number of designers that are making wrinkle-fee clothes. This generation cares about efficiency and ease above anything else.

Designer Handbags

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Since they’re one of the generations with less money to spend, millennials don’t see the point in buying an expensive designer bag. Instead, they enjoy the thrill of finding a good deal, where they can get a stylish and environmentally-friendly bag for cheap. Millennials turning to vintage and second-hand markets is putting the luxury goods market at a major loss.

Golf

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Fewer millennials are hitting the golf courses because they’d prefer to do something a little faster-paced or more flexible. Some golf clubs think outside the box to attract young people, like hosting themed mini-golfs or more social events. They’re even using technology to make things a little more interesting.

Owning a Home

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Thanks to high prices and low wages, owning a home will stay as a dream for millennials. Many don’t think they’ll be able to buy one and believe they’ll rent for life instead. To address this, the real estate market has begun offering more flexible leasing options tailored specifically for this generation.

Postage Stamps

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Emails and online bills have meant that, for millennials, postage stamps are just a collector’s item. Several postal companies have moved into logistics and e-commerce support just so they can stay afloat with these changes. Instead of just sending letters, the companies have become a big part of the digital commerce chain.

Light Beer

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Light beers used to dominate bar taps, but they’re taking a backseat because millennials are chasing after craft beers and unique spirits instead. Of course, plenty of breweries have noticed this, and they’ve started including alternatives like hoppy IPAs and rich stouts. They’re catering to palates that appreciate diverse flavors.

Life Insurance

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For many millennials, life insurance seems like a distant need rather than an immediate concern. This is mostly because they have different life priorities and major financial constraints, unlike some of the other generations. Nowadays, many insurers have included lower premiums and adjustable coverage options just to get millennials interested.

Taxis

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Gone are the days when you’d wave down a taxi on the street corner, as millennials would rather use ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft. If they have no choice, they’ll get a taxi, but they’d much rather use these apps because they’ve got far more competitive prices. If taxi companies don’t step up their approach to technology, they’ll probably disappear altogether.

DIY Tools

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The rise of YouTube tutorials and home improvement shows hasn’t necessarily made millennials stock up on hammers and drills. In fact, they’re using apps and services that connect them with professionals to do the job instead. Many millennials don’t see DIY projects as anything fun or even worth their time.