As we head into 2010, big name companies that won't survive until 2020?

[Papa Deuce]

MSN.com had an article about 7 BIG NAME companies that they say will not survive until 2020. They gave their reasons. I'll list them.... and then maybe you can add some that you don't think will last until 2020....

1. Palm - getting crushed by the iPhone and Blackberry

2. Sears - too "fuddy - duddy".

3. Blockbuster - Netflix has pretty much buried them

4. Kodak - too much competition with better technology

5. Borders - because Barnes and Noble is just bigger and better

6. Magellan ( GPS ) - because they are small compared to Garmin and Tom Tom, and GPS is becoming a very inexpensive commodity.

7. McClatchy ( Owners of Knight - Ridder and other major newspapers ) - well, because they own newspapers, essentially.


So, which big name companies do you think will be non existent by 2020?

 

[Papa Deuce]

I know K-Mart owns Sears, but I say K-mart will be gone. The store are nasty and understaffed. The one closest to me closed. At one point they didn't seem to even have cashiers! All self checkout.

I would not be surprised to see Starbucks gone, but I wouldn't bet money on it.


And i wouldn't be surprised to see 7 - 11 bought out and merged with another company.

 

[TheGoofster]

Hmm, interesting.

Of the ones you listed, I think some of them will stick around if they are willing to change the way they do things.

For example, I can see Block Buster changing into more of an on-line provider like Net Flix, and getting away from actual hard copy rentals. Or the newspaper group converting into an on-line provider to stay alive (I don't see newspapers surviving long though).

As for the others.

Kodak - They've always been about film, so I don't really know what they can do to stay afloat. They do make Digital cameras, but they are only one of many, and their cameras aren't that great.

Sears - I'm surprised they are still around now.

Palm or Magellan. They seem like newer companies that live and die on current technology, so if they can find a way to provide something newer, they might be OK.

I see that you also mentioned K-Mart. I also agree that they will be gone pretty soon. I also have a feeling that some of the bigger Cable providers will be gone soon. With technology changing so fast, they might be in trouble as well.

 

[golfgal]

I know K-Mart owns Sears, but I say K-mart will be gone. The store are nasty and understaffed. The one closest to me closed. At one point they didn't seem to even have cashiers! All self checkout.

I would not be surprised to see Starbucks gone, but I wouldn't bet money on it.


And i wouldn't be surprised to see 7 - 11 bought out and merged with another company.

Doesn't Sears own KMart?

Sears still has a HUGE corner of the tool and appliance market and while I won't buy clothing there, the stores do well in other areas (although I like having access to the Land's End stuff there).

 

[Papa Deuce]

Doesn't Sears own KMart?

Sears still has a HUGE corner of the tool and appliance market and while I won't buy clothing there, the stores do well in other areas (although I like having access to the Land's End stuff there).

I think K-Mart own Sears, strange as it sounds...

from wikipedia:

Kmart (sometimes styled as "K-Mart") is a chain of discount department stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. The chain acquired Sears in 2005, forming a new corporation under the name Sears Holdings Corporation.

 

[CathrynRose]

I would not be surprised to see Starbucks gone, but I wouldn't bet money on it.
.

No, I wouldn't. Starbucks???

I personally spend $5 a day - as does every other patron in there, every single morning.

I don't see this happening, IMO.

 

[Papa Deuce]

No, I wouldn't. Starbucks???

I personally spend $5 a day - as does every other patron in there, every single morning.

I don't see this happening, IMO.

Well, they have already closed hundreds of locations in the last 2 years....

 

[CathrynRose]

Well, they have already closed hundreds of locations in the last 2 years....

I guess it depends on your area. We had none close, and had more open.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I guess it depends on your area. We had none close, and had more open.

according to wikipedia, they have closed 900 stores since 2008.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Macy's. I hear they are really in trouble.

 

[Feralpeg]

I very much doubt Sears will close. They do a huge business in appliances, tools, lawn tractors, etc. They also have many auto service locations. I used one this past week and they were packed.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I very much doubt Sears will close. They do a huge business in appliances, tools, lawn tractors, etc. They also have many auto service locations. I used one this past week and they were packed.

Well, if K-Mart goes under, I think it is likely Sear will as well.

 

[debster812]

according to wikipedia, they have closed 900 stores since 2008.

But...considering they have over 15,000 locations all over the world, that's less than 6%, and does not speak to how many new locations they've openen in the same time frame. And that's basic retail chain operations. Store closings are not always about poor performance. Leases don't get renewed, better locations are opened in close proximity, and the like.

 

[Papa Deuce]

But...considering they have over 15,000 locations all over the world, that's less than 6%, and does not speak to how many new locations they've openen in the same time frame. And that's basic retail chain operations. Store closings are not always about poor performance. Leases don't get renewed, better locations are opened in close proximity, and the like.

Have you looked at their financials and stock prices? They are not doing well at all.

Well, lately stock is fine, but it was down around $6 in the last year.... far below all time highs.

 

[KAMLEM]

6. Magellan ( GPS ) - because they are small compared to Garmin and Magellan, and GPS is becoming a very inexpensive commodity.

??

No, I wouldn't. Starbucks???

I personally spend $5 a day - as does every other patron in there, every single morning.

I don't see this happening, IMO.

I won't be very happy if this happens.

 

[Papa Deuce]

??

My mistake... Tom Tom.


I'll add 2 more... AOL and Crocs.

 

[Meriweather]

From what I've heard...KMart isn't in it for owning stores, but for buying the properties. If a store (of any "brand" they own") doesn't do well enough to offset the price of the land they are on, they will sell them.

Starbucks is a staple here. We have 3 of them in one mall.
I think they over expanded....and too fast, so that is why some stores closed.
Of course, being Seattle based, we will be the last to see them close down.

 

[Meriweather]

Crocs is indeed in trouble
I think they over expanded too fast also.......seems like way, way too many styles too fast.
I love my Crocs, but I like the basic ones, hate to see them go. They already discontinued my favorite style

 

[java]

Zales is going to disappear I believe. They have left a ton of small suppliers high and dry = owing millions.

 

[NY Disney fan]

I can foresee Burger King going down, down to Chinatown.