10 Famous Companies That Failed to Innovate

In the world of business, only change endures. Some brands soar by adapting, while others sink for staying still.

1. Blockbuster (1985 - 2010).

• Peak: 84,300 employees, 9,094 stores in 2004.

• Failure: Didn't transition to digital; declined Netflix's sale offer in 2000.

• Bankruptcy: 2010.

2. Polaroid (1937 - 2001).

• Success: Early leader in instant film and cameras.

• Downfall: Ignored digital camera impact; focused solely on traditional film.

• Bankruptcy: 2001; brand later acquired by Impossible Project (2008).

3. Toys R us (1945 - 2017).

• Issue: Signed exclusive toy vendor deal with Amazon (2000), missed e-commerce development.

• Bankruptcy: 2017, amidst $1bn debt and online competition.

4. PAN Am (1971 - 2011)

• Innovations: Computerized reservations, jumbo jets.

• Downfall: Mismanagement, regulatory issues; didn't adapt to future trends.

• Bankruptcy: 1991.

5. Borders (1985 - 2010)

• Expansion: Global book/music retailer.

• Issues: Too much debt, late to e-readers, digital books.

• Closure: 2011; assets sold to Barnes & Noble.

6. Pets.com (1998 - 2000)

• Offering: Online pet supplies.

• Problem: High marketing spend, poor fundamentals, premature scaling.

• Closure: 2000, post-IPO; domain now redirects to PetSmart.

7. Tower Records (1960 - 2004)

• Innovation: First retail music mega-store.

• Failure: Heavy debts, couldn't compete with digital music platforms.

• Bankruptcy: 2004.

8. Compaq (1982 - 2002)

• Success: Leading PC seller, IBM PC compatible computers.

• Downfall: Lost in price wars, couldn't innovate.

• Acquisition: By HP in 2002, brand discontinued in 2013.

9. General Motors (1908 - 2009)

• Legacy: Over 100 years in car manufacturing.

• Failure: Ignored innovation and competition, focused on finance.

• Bankruptcy: 2009; reformed with government bailout.

10. Kodak (1889 - 2012)

• Dominance: Leading film company.

• Mistake: Hesitated in digital transition to protect film business.

• Bankruptcy: 2012; re-emerged as a smaller company in 2013.

What emerging technologies could potentially disrupt current market leaders? Bonus points for a take other than A.I. 😜