In 1977, unitary franchised stores owned by local pharmacists lost to discount chains who did block purchasing.
MoviePass
In 2019, MoviePass hoped subscribers wouldn’t use the service regularly — like gyms, which use no-show subscribers to financially offset their heavy users.
But it’s easier to get people to the movies than the gym. MoviePass subscribers, who loved the low price, used the service so much leading to its downfall.
Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines reduced its fares and offered special business perks to attract customers at the same time as fuel prices spiked. In 2005 they filed for bankruptcy and later merged with Delta.
People’s Drug Store
Challenges with merchandising and customer service eventually led to acquisition by CVS in 1984.
Pan Am
In 1991, became too reliant on high‐priced foreign fuel.
TWA
In 2001, Trans World Airlines (TWA) flew its final flight. The company was officially sold to American Airlines after decades of saddling debt. In 1991, the company was forced to sell its lucrative London routes — accelerating their demise.
USAir
The airline had severe financial difficulties in the early 2000s, filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy twice in two years. In 2005, America West Airlines carried out a reverse merger and acquired it’s assets.
Fry’s Electronics
In 2021, Fry’s Electronics went out of business because it didn’t innovate its online operations as rapidly compared to rivals such as Best Buy.
Circuit City
To save money they stopped paying commissions to salespeople in 2009.
Burger Chef
In 1982 after peaking at 1050 locations, the General Foods Corporation, owners Burger Chef, divested itself of the restaurant chain after it assumed extensive real estate commitments and expanded too rapidly.