It seems like every generation gets unfair judgment when it is at its prime. Baby Boomers were called hippies, while Gen X was called the slacker generation. So what about millennials? Well, we are sure you have heard of people complaining about the way millennials refuse to do things the old way, even though it worked fine for everyone that came before. This involves the phenomenon of refusing to buy homes and traditional breakfast choices. Why is it that this generation insists on doing things differently? Let us take a look at products that are now in danger thanks to millennial spending habits.
Cereal
If you were a ‘90s kid, you probably remember eating a bowl of cereal on Saturday mornings as you watched cartoons. In 2019, it seems like the same people have caused the decline of the breakfast staple. It might sound perplexing, but we are telling the truth. The New York Times said 40 percent of millennials said this breakfast option “was an inconvenient breakfast choice because they had to clean up after eating it.” Move over, cereal – avocado toast is where it’s at!
Cereal
Traditional Wedding Ceremonies
“You may now kiss the bride” was once a sacred phrase reserved for couples eager to hear this since it marked the beginning of a lifetime together. According to research, younger Americans have decided they do not need to walk down the aisle. If it’s not that, most are waiting until they are older before they get hitched. During the ‘80s, over two-thirds of people from ages 25 to 35 were already married. Nowadays, over half the people in the same age range are single. How interesting is this?
Traditional Wedding Ceremonies
Movie Theaters
Have you ever taken the time to notice how much better movie theaters are now? Many of these establishments have installed reclining chairs, a full bar, and seat service. The last one is especially convenient because you do not have to miss a scene to get some food! It seems like the movie theater industry has a reason behind this. It is dying a slow death because millennials are choosing to stay at home and just stream when they need some entertainment.
Movie Theaters
Cars
In this day and age, cars are seen as more of a burden and less of a necessity. The automobile industry has been on the decline for a couple of reasons. An interesting stat revealed that millennials are now waiting longer to get licenses, which came as a shock to many carmakers. We bet this has something to do with the rise of Uber. Young adults no longer find cars worth the money when ride sharing and public transportation are readily available. It is mostly young people in urban settings that give in and buy one.
Cars
Gyms
While millennials seem more concerned about their health and fitness, they are eschewing traditional methods of staying in shape. The gym has become a thing of the past since young people like doing things different. The New York Post said it was because millennials vastly prefer “boutique studio classes, online streaming services, running clubs, CrossFit gyms” and other methods to keep their muscle tone in check. As you can see, this is a hip generation eager to try out new things and push outdated norms out of mind.
Gyms
Fabric Softener
According to Wall Street Journal, young people no longer find any use for fabric softener in the home. Thanks to the rising quality of clothe fabrics and washers, millennials are no longer picking it up when they head to the supermarket. Statistics reveal that the decline in the product sales began when it went down by 15 percent from 2007 to 2015. Marketing executive bigshots have been trying to get young folks interested in the item, but their efforts are not going anywhere.
Fabric Softener
Body Wash
It seems like body wash is the way to go if you want to clean your body. Even though lots of bathtub come with a soap dish, you will find that bars of soap have basically become obsolete. In fact, the younger ones might never have used it before! According to MarketWatch, 60 percent of people aged 18 to 24 believe soap boars are more prone to germs. While it is alarming, it sounds like a good reason to turn to body wash instead.
Body Wash
Cruises
One word you might see again and again in this slideshow would be “authentic”. Millennials aspire to travel beyond the regular cruises. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that they did not grow up with The Love Boat, so they do not get excited by the thought of traveling on a luxury boat. According to Caribbean News Service, young people are after more “authentic” experiences. It seems like they consider cruises to be a little too manufactured for their liking.
Cruises
Beer
There used to be a time when young adults always had beer in the fridge. This might have been the case in the past, but it would appear like the youth has been changing its vices as well. The new popular thing is pot, which is especially big among members of the generation that follows the millennials. Drinking beer has not only gotten less popular, but it seems like it will soon become frowned upon sometime in the future. We hope brewers do something about it before it is too late.
Beer
Cable TV
Who would have thought that the day would come when cable TV is no longer the king? Millennials are also getting the blame for the death of this industry. You can now get a subscription from Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Amazon Prime as long as you have internet access and a device to watch your shows on. It is easy and convenient, so there is not much need for cable. Millennials have gotten the blame here because they embrace these platforms the most. Scheduled programming and cables wires are quickly becoming a thing of the past.
Cable TV
Casual Dining
Here is another unexpected one. Casual dining is no long as popular as it used to be. Fewer folks are eating out at TGI Fridays and ordering long island iced tea at happy hour. Buffalo Wilds Wings CEO blames this generation for their struggle to get customers who want to sit down and eat. Maybe the phenomenon has something to do with the rise of Postmates, GrubHub, and Uber Eats. With the convenience of delivery, it now seems like such a hassle to get dressed and go out to grab your favorite dish. Meal-kit companies are also on the rise.
Casual Dining
Diamonds
They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but it seems like they had a falling out. Millennials are simply not buying into the idea of getting an expensive diamond ring when they get engaged. For one thing, they have other priorities. Many millennials have to worry about saving enough money for overpriced real estate, so they cannot find any reason to justify shelling out so much money on what is essentially a glorified rock. When they splurge, they make sure to buy “ethically-sourced diamonds”. The people in the diamond industry hope that things will change for the better soon.
Diamonds
Lottery
Millennials have done the math when it comes to the lottery, so they are aware that there is a very small chance they will bring home the jackpot. In 2016, about three-fifths of people aged 50 to 64 still play the lottery. Meanwhile, only a third of people aged 18 to 29 have given it a shot. While it is always fun to imagine winning a huge sum of money, millennials are more eager to pay off their student loans.
Lottery
Napkins
When you eat at home, there is only a four in ten chance you will use a napkin. However, the numbers were at six in ten fifteen years ago. The decline has been blamed on millennials yet again, who prefer paper towels over napkins. They work fine, perhaps even better, and minimize the need to buy another item. One marketing director also said this generation does not eat around the table as much either. Do you think the dining table will appear on this list in the future?
Napkins
Drive-thrus
In the past, McDonald’s had been one of the most well-known fast food chains in the country among all ages. However, this is no longer the case in 2019. This is particularly true among millennials. A lack of marketing is not the problem here, it just has not helped much. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, “The Golden Arches is losing its luster with younger consumers.” Younger people are more interested in their health, which explains why Micky D’s recently introduced a plant-based burger.
Drive-thrus
Department Stores
If you like to shop, there is good chance that you are filling your cart from the comfort of your own bed instead of the mall. One-day shipping has made it so much more convenient. Of course, who in their right minds would head to the department store when you can only click on a few buttons and wait? It seems like department stores have been shuttering one after the other. Businesses sometimes close down a number of locations, but some brick-and-mortar shops have shut down operations entirely.
Department Stores
The Suit
You will almost never see CEO Mark Zuckerberg sporting a full suit until he is getting questions by Congress. No, he prefers to put on a plain t-shirt on a regular day. This is the look that has become associated with success in the tech world. This is the reason so many millennials are doing the same thing. On top of this, workplaces now allow casual clothes every day. It has become accessible to leave the suit in the closet unless it is a special occasion. Leisure gear is also becoming a lot more popular.
The Suit
Irons
Like suits, ironing is also becoming less of a norm. After all, not a lot of people has the time to plug the iron in, wait for it to become hot, and then press wrinkles out of clothes. Moreover, many fabrics these days no longer need to be ironed. When you need to look wrinkle-free, there are also a number of hacks to address the problem. Some people just throw the piece of clothe into the dryer on the low setting for around 20 minutes. Meanwhile, others prefer to hang it in the bathroom while they take a shower.
Irons
Life Insurance
One study revealed that about three-quarters of millennials do not have life insurance. The reason is simple – they cannot afford it. This is one reason, but some also find the challenge of going through all the options intimidating as all get-out. A lot of millennials do not realize that getting coverage when they are younger will make it cheaper in the long haul. Even though the life insurance industry is not quite as prominent as it used to be, this situation can still change sometime in the future. At least we hope so.
Life Insurance
Doorbells
Now, we want you to give us an honest answer here. When was the last time you remember seeing a young adult ring the doorbell? Heck, when was the last time you did? In this day and age, sending a text will ensure that the door opens. Here was what a report from the Wall Street Journal said: “Some smartphone-carrying millennials are so used to texting upon arrival that the sound of a ringing doorbell freaks them out; ‘it’s terrifying.’” Hey, at least you now know you should avoid ringing doorbells.
Doorbells
Beef and Meat
An interesting trend among millennials is just how much they like to show their activism. This has something to do with the decline of beef. Millennials do not want to get involved with the meat industry, and some have even demonstrated this by refusing to purchase it. A significant number of this generation has gone vegetarian or vegan, often citing the mistreatment of animals or the association of cows with climate change. Not only that, but we know beef is not exactly a cheap product to buy either.
Beef and Meat
Landline
While we are sure millennials are familiar with the landline or home line, these things have been rendered useless by the rise of mobile phones. They can now talk to other people in private, without having to worry about anyone listening from the other line or another person needing to use it. A survey revealed that two-thirds of people aged 25 to 29 live in a wireless home. It is safe to say that no one is thinking about getting a landline when they move into an apartment they are probably only renting.
Landline
Designer Clothes
In the past, people would know you are stylish and making a statement when you wear couture clothing. However, things have changed. It is often more fashionable to wear older clothes if you want to be trendy. Thrift shops have been running high-end brands out of business because millennials seem to prefer buying something cool for cheap than something fancy for hundreds of dollars. This is a great way to cut down costs and develop a sense of style at the same time.
Designer Clothes
Houses
We are sure you have heard about millennials graduating from college and then moving back home with their parents. Sadly, this is true because fewer young people can afford to pay for an apartment all by themselves. Housing prices continue to rise, which only means many people will never be able to pay for a home to call their own. Millennials are also opting out of the traditional house because they think it is restricting. They prefer to rent out a house or apartment for the sake of mobility. We have all heard about people paying off their mortgages for years to come, right?
Houses
The Stock Market
It used to be a good idea to invest in the stock market, but things have changed a lot. A survey conducted by Barron’s said stocks are no longer popular when it comes to investments. Just 13% of the respondents said they would like to invest in stocks. Others said they would prefer cash, gold, and real estate. There are many reasons for this phenomenon, although we are willing to bet that they are more wary of the stock market after seeing it crash not that long ago.
The Stock Market
Bulk Groceries
While their parents’ home used to be fully stocked with groceries, you will not be able to say the same thing for millennials and their pantries. Not a lot of people feel the need to bulk buy groceries at membership stores like Costco. They are only cooking and shopping for themselves, so there is no need to buy groceries to last two weeks when they would not even be used up. Millennials seem to prefer things they truly need, so they are not fond of the idea of shelling out money for food that might go bad.
Bulk Groceries
Cork Wine Bottles
Although it is true that millennials have never been one to eschew wine, there is a noticeable difference in their wine preferences. In the past, people thought that wine bottles with twist caps were rather declasses. In this day and age, this generation seems to favor them over corked bottles. Millennials are always on the go, so they would rather not deal with a cork when they drink. If they will drink the bottle at the beach or at the park with their friends, it makes sense to favor the twist cap over the cork one.
Cork Wine Bottles
Postcards
In the past, young travelers would often buy post cards and then send them across the oceans to tell their loved ones about the adventure they were having. In fact, over 20 million postcards were purchased every year about twenty-five years ago. The number has since gone down to 5 to 6 million. Social media is available and convenient, so people simply snap a photo and write what they are up to in the captions. Now, most people only ever buy a postcard for the save of the novelty and nothing else.
Postcards
Golf
While there are still a number of millennials who like to go out to the cheap 9-hole courses, most people do not take the sport as seriously as their predecessors did. For one thing, this sport is considered by the general public to be expensive, too proper, and even “boring”. In the past, golf used to be associated with business, but we doubt that a lot of young people would lose deals on golf courses in the future.
Golf
Cigarettes
Like we said, millennials seem to care more about their health than the generations that came before them. However, there is another reason for the decline in cigarette sales. The true culprit here would be the vape. Right now, millennials account for 40% of the vaping market. It is probably because they are thought to be healthier than cigarettes, but it is also largely cheaper than buying a pack of smokes. They are also pretty compact, do not smell, and come in a number of flavors than traditional tobacco does.
Cigarettes
Children
If you have a millennial for a child, you might have to accept the fact that grandkids would not come for a long time, if at all. Like we said, marriages often happen later than ever. Millennials do not seem to be interested in having kids either. In 2012, Stewart Friedman of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania conducted a survey that revealed that less than half of millennials want children of their own. This is a huge difference from the reported 78% two decades ago. Even when they want kids, many millennials said it was going to have to wait.
Children
Dairy Milk
Many millennials grew up with a cup of milk to go with dinner, but it has not stopped dairy sales from plummeting. Why is it that many millennials have stopped buying it? One of the big factors contributing to this would be the number of young people who have gone on vegan or vegetarian diets. Across the country, milk consumption has seen a decline of 40% from the ‘70s. Meanwhile, nondairy alternatives have seen a rise of 30% as of 2011. As you can see, millennials are far more interested in healthier alternatives than the real deal.
Dairy Milk
Hotels
In the past, your only options for accommodation when you are out traveling would be a motel, hotel, or a friend’s home. Recently, the game has changed when websites started offering people the chance to rent out rooms in their homes and properties. We bet you have used sites like Turnkey, Vrbo, and Airbnb in the past. Nowadays, millennial prefer to stay in these places because they get more privacy, comfort, and a unique experience.
Hotels
Canned Tuna
There is no way you have noticed just how many food products are on the list! Canned fish has been suffering a decline, even though it used to be consistently high in the past. This is because the youth prefers to eat healthy and use less packaging materials when it comes to the food they eat. It explains a lot of things, doesn’t it? Starkist vice-president of marketing Andy Mecs said, “A lot of millennials don’t even own can openers.” It also has to do with the millennial’s concern about overfishing in the oceans.
Canned Tuna
Big Turkeys
No one is going to stop digging into the Thanksgiving turkey their mother prepared at the family holiday dinner. Despite this, you will rarely see them at “Friendsgiving”. If turkey is going to be on the menu at all, you can be sure they will pick a smaller bird. One reason behind this would be the fact that many young people do not have the knowledge or patience to cook a huge turkey. Millennials also seem to prefer a potluck during their Thanksgiving celebrations with friends, so turkeys are not convenient.
Big Turkeys
Stilettos
Not only are millennials starting to dress down in the workplace, but they have also decided that it is not worth it to dress in anything uncomfortable. Although Carrie Bradshaw made a fashion statement with her stilettos, the women of this generation are more than eager to leave this trend in the past. They now opt for shoes that are far more practical and comfortable. Shoe designers have caught on to this tendency, which explains why they have started to release formal shoes that offer comfort and style.
Stilettos
Single-Slice Cheeses
When you are a young millennial with limited funds, you would assume that they are fond of eating single-slice American cheese. It is a cheap product that comes with enough preservatives for a lifetime. However, this is not the case for the younger generation whatsoever. As a matter of fact, it would seem like millennials forgo them for more diverse, more expensive, and healthier cheeses. These varieties are loaded with fewer preservatives and make for better snacks when they invite their friends offer for some wine and cheese. Velvita and Kraft have both been experiencing a decline in sales since 2014.
Single-Slice Cheeses
Mayonnaise
We doubt anyone foresaw the fact that mayo is no longer common in the household. While it has been a staple condiment for a long time, millennials have generally stopped buying and using the product. The chances are high that you would see flashier and more expensive condiments on their food. If you go somewhere “hip”, you should not expect to find mayo on the ingredient list because it would not be there! You would not find it their fridges either.
Mayonnaise
Raisins
Harry Overly, the CEO of Sun-Maid’s Raisins, has said that millennials are a tough market to crack for the raisins business. Apparently, the people eating them happen to be the older or younger generations. The industry is now trying to attract the millennial generation by evoking their nostalgia, although it has not worked just yet. Millennials prefer to spend their food allowance on other things. For the ultra-healthy generation, raisins simply come with way too much sugar for their liking. They should do something about that if they want to attract more customers from this generation.
Raisins
Light Yogurt
Millennials are into trendy and healthy foods, which is why the generation has decided to eschew light yogurt. Instead, they have chosen a different variety. The youth seem to prefer Greek yogurt over the low-calorie option because this kind is more protein-rich and natural. In 2016, the sales for Yoplait Light saw a decline of 8.5%. As you can see, only the members of the older generations are eager to get their hands on light yogurt. If you want to make a breakfast bowl for a millennial, only use Greek yogurt.
Light Yogurt
Razor Blades
Can you believe that razor sales are on the decline? It is not because people have stopped shaving. Men below the age of 45 seem to have adopted a more laid-back attitude to this chore. According to CNN, Gillette needed to perform an intervention by slashing the prices of their products by 12% on average in 2018. Studies revealed that men only shave an average of 3.2 times a week, lower than the previous 3.7.
Razor Blades
Football
It seems like NFL viewership has also taken a hit over the years. Why is it that millennials are no longer tuning in to the sport? Analysts have yet to figure out the reason behind this, although they have some theories to narrow things down. The 2016 presidential race have something to do with the phenomenon as well as the Colin Kaepernick-spearheaded protests. Who knows, maybe they simply find the game boring now. With fewer cable subscriptions, millennials also tend to get updates using their phones.
Football
Luxury Bags
We have already talked about designer clothes, but the same thing applies to their handbags Brands such as Michael Kors and Gucci have suffered and now sell bags with huge discounts since millennials do not seem to be interested in buying their products. Well, not a lot of people have money to spare for such luxuries. Robin Lewis, an industry expert, posted on his blog that this is the “kiss of death for trendy fashion brands, particularly those positioned in the up-market younger consumer sectors”.
Luxury Bags
Home Cooking
A UBS report said, “At scale, ubiquitous on-demand and subscription delivery of prepared food could potentially spell the end of cooking at home.” In this day and age, many young people choose not to cook at home anymore. The same report said that online food delivery will make up ten percent of the food-services market by the time 2030 rolls in. If you do not know how to cook, it is not a problem because it is no longer the norm. No one really cares anymore if you can make an awesome filet mignon.
Home Cooking
Soda
Soft drinks are no longer as popular as they once were. Coke and Pepsi might come up with all kinds of marketing schemes but none of them seem to work on millennials. While there are still people who have it with every meal, the number is going down. In 2006, sales went down for the first time in two decades. Not only is Coke trying to attract us with low-calorie drinks, but they also released a millennial-focused ad for Diet Coke.
Soda
Plastic Bottles
Regular plastic water bottles are no longer popular for this generation. When they are not piling up in the backseat of the car, you will likely find them on dusty shelves at a grocery store near you. Younger people are now aware of just how harmful plastic can be for the environment, so they are now carrying around their own metal or glass bottles. You might even own a Hydro Flask yourself for this very reason.
Plastic Bottles
Honeymoons
Now this one is pretty bizarre. We already know that weddings do not happen as often as they used to, but newlyweds do not go on honeymoon either. We are sure this spells bad news for island resorts. “Unimoons”, where the individual travels by themselves, are the trendy thing to do now. One groom said they chose to do this since “workaholism and being on the work-and-spend treadmill [because] you can’t even coordinate one of the most important times of your life together.”
Honeymoons
Cash
Chip readers are now common, so it is generally easier to pay with credit and debit cards instead. Cold hard cash is no longer as convenient as it used to be. PBS and NPR conducted a poll about this matter, and you would not believe the results of the survey. Apparently, 63% of people below the age of 30 said they prefer to use plastic instead. PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are clearly making things easier for everyone when it comes to payment.
Cash
Canada Trips
When the president is not very well-liked, millennials often say they would simply move across the Canadian border. You would think that they would at least come there for a visit first, right? However, it seems like young people are eight times more likely to take a trip somewhere farther than Canada. We do not understand why they would rather move there instead of visit, but we will let them decide for themselves.
Canada Trips
Divorce
This is probably the most interesting tidbit here! Millennials might be giving marriage a slow death, but divorce rates have gone down as well. University of Maryland professor Philip Cohen learned that divorces dropped by 18 percent between 2008 and 2016. “One of the reasons for the decline is that the married population is getting older and more highly educated,” he explained, “Marriage is more and more an achievement of status, rather than something that people do regardless of how they’re doing.”
Divorce