Some things just don’t stand a chance anymore. Blame it on changing trends, digital life, or just plain indifference, but entire product lines are fading fast because Gen Z and millennials have moved on. What used to be household staples are now dust-collecting leftovers on store shelves.
Ask any Gen Xer or boomer, and they’ll tell you these products meant something. They saved time, made life easier, or just felt right. But times have changed, and younger generations have their way of doing things. These 13 products aren’t just losing popularity; they’re fighting extinction.
Bar Soap
Younger shoppers are ditching the classic bar of soap for shower gels and foaming cleansers. Many say it feels less sanitary or dries out their skin. Bar soap sales in the U.S. dropped each year. The convenience of pump bottles and scented gels wins every time.
Cable TV
Cord-cutting isn’t a trend anymore. It’s the norm. Pew Research reports that 56% of U.S. households still pay for traditional cable in 2021, down from 76% in 2015. Young people prefer streaming because it’s cheaper, has fewer ads, and lets them watch shows on their schedule, not some prime-time lineup.
Fabric Softener
Remember those commercials where towels floated in a breeze? Younger consumers don’t. Fabric softener sales have plunged, with Procter & Gamble admitting that millennials don’t see the point. Many think it’s unnecessary or harmful for the environment, especially with sensitive skin concerns and green alternatives gaining traction.
Landline Phones
Millennials and Gen Z barely remember the dial tone. According to USA Today, more than 3 out of 4 adults lived in homes without a landline in 2023. Smartphones do it all: calls, texts, alarms, and GPS. A landline is now just that weird thing in grandma’s kitchen that no one touches.
Canned Tuna
The quick protein powerhouse of the ‘90s lunchbox is losing steam. A CNBC report found that tuna sales have dropped 42% over 30 years. Young people say it’s smelly, not as fresh as alternatives, and confusing to open. Plus, plant-based diets and trendy protein powders have replaced the humble tuna sandwich.
Razors With Replaceable Blades
The subscription shave model took over fast. Why go to the store when razors can come to your door? Procter and Gamble wrote down Gillette by $8 billion in 2019, much of it due to young shoppers choosing Dollar Shave Club or Harry’s. With more facial hair trends, like beards, sticking around, some guys are shaving less.
Greeting Cards
A handwritten note is sweet, but a meme does the job faster. The greeting card industry is projected to decline from over $15 billion in 2022 to $13.6 billion in 2027. Hallmark closed hundreds of stores. Texts, social media shoutouts, and digital GIFs have made traditional cards feel, well, too conventional.
Breakfast Cereal
Cereal used to be the go-to breakfast. Now it’s a backup plan. U.S. cereal sales have seen a decline for decades, citing changing habits. Young people often skip breakfast or opt for protein shakes instead. Plus, many cereals are still loaded with sugar, which doesn’t match modern health trends.
Department Store Makeup Counters
The days of trying on lipstick at the mall are fading fast. Ulta and Sephora dominate now, with bright stores and endless samples. Younger shoppers prefer shopping online or in stores that let them test on their terms. Macy’s and Nordstrom makeup counters? Too formal, too pricey, and way too slow.
Paper Napkins
Sales of paper napkins have dropped steadily over the past two decades. A report from The Atlantic noted that many Americans use paper towels instead. Why buy both when one can do the job? It’s a cost-saving move that’s now second nature for many households.
Wedding China
The fancy plate set on every wedding registry in the ‘80s? Practically obsolete. Young couples prefer practical cookware over decorative china they’ll never use. Only a few couples now include fine china in their registry. That’s down from a majority some decades ago.
Alarm Clocks
Most phones now double as alarm clocks. The classic “BEEP BEEP” bedside alarm is becoming rare. Today, Americans use their smartphone alarms regularly. Plus, apps now track sleep, play relaxing sounds, and wake you gently, no need for a clunky plastic box flashing 12:00.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
How Total Beginners Are Building Wealth Fast in 2025—No Experience Needed
How Total Beginners Are Building Wealth Fast in 2025
I used to think investing was something you did after you were already rich. Like, you needed $10,000 in a suit pocket and a guy named Chad at some fancy firm who knew how to “diversify your portfolio.” Meanwhile, I was just trying to figure out how to stretch $43 to payday.
But a lot has changed. And fast. In 2025, building wealth doesn’t require a finance degree—or even a lot of money. The tools are simpler. The entry points are lower. And believe it or not, total beginners are stacking wins just by starting small and staying consistent.
Click here and let’s break down how.
5 Easy Steps to Change Any Habit
5 Easy Steps to Change Any Habit
We all click on them with the hope that just THIS time the secret to changing a bad habit or adopting a healthy one will be revealed and we’ll finally be able to stick to that diet, stop that one or ten things that might in the moment make us feel temporarily good but really just make us fat, unhealthy, sad, mad or just frustrated with ourselves.
