In 2006, Microsoft was unable to gain traction with the iPod due to poor marketing and lack of developer support.
Lehman Brothers
In 2008, Lehman Brothers overlevered in subprime mortgages.
Bear Stearns
In 2008, Bear Stearns overleveraged in subprime mortgages.
Credit Suisse
In 2023, numerous scandals led to their largest shareholder ruling out further investment.
Atari
In 1983, market saturation, high number of poor quality games, and growing interest in personal computers killed Atari.
Kodak
In 2007, digital photography destroyed Kodak’s film-based business model.
Radio Shack
In 2015, Radio Shack was too dependent on one product line: cellphones, which were 50% of its revenue. Once sales channels for cellphones shifted to wireless operators, Radio Shack’s sales deteriorated significantly leading to their bankruptcy.
Toys R Us
In 2017, closed all 800 stores; didn’t bring experential experience to stores.
Pet Rock
In 1976, there were 1.3 million rocks in a box sold. The manual detailed the tricks the rock could do including sitting.
Ask Jeeves
In 2005, IAC acquired the company for $1.85B; pivoted to be a real-person Q&A site just before Google crushed them