As trends and technology evolve, so do our shopping habits. Americans are moving away from buying certain items that once filled their shopping carts. Here are 14 everyday items that have seriously lost their popularity.
Landline Phones
Most homes used to have a landline phone once, but now that’s no longer the case. With more features and the freedom to move around, we all find mobile phones much more convenient. According to the Washington Post, only a quarter of Americans still have landlines.
DVDs and Blu-rays
Streaming services have largely replaced physical media like DVDs and Blu-rays. Services such as Netflix and Hulu offer huge libraries of movies and shows you can watch from any device. Because of this, buying physical copies isn’t as appealing anymore, and sales have really taken a hit.
Newspaper Subscriptions
Digital news sources have really cut down the demand for traditional newspapers. With online news being updated constantly and available for free, it’s no wonder fewer people are subscribing to print newspapers. Instead, they’re choosing digital formats because they’re more convenient and timely.
Physical Maps
GPS technology and smartphone mapping apps have pretty much made physical maps a thing of the past. With real-time directions and traffic updates, who wants to deal with a paper map anymore? Digital maps are so much easier and have become everyone’s go-to for navigation.
Single-use Plastic Bags
As more people become aware of environmental issues, the use of single-use plastic bags has dropped. Many states and cities have implemented bans or imposed fees on plastic bags. Now, reusable bags are everywhere, helping cut down on plastic waste.
Alarm Clocks
Smartphones have replaced the need for alarm clocks. They do so much more—they’re our alarm clocks, calendars, and communication devices all in one. This versatility makes standalone alarm clocks a lot less appealing.
Physical Tickets
Digital tickets, facilitated through e-tickets and mobile apps, have largely replaced physical tickets for many events and travel. They’re more convenient and cut down the risk of losing them. This shift means fewer Americans are buying physical tickets for events and travel.
Disposable Cameras
Disposable cameras are nearly history now, thanks to digital cameras and smartphones that snap high-quality pictures. We love sharing photos instantly and tweaking them with filters, which makes digital photography way more fun.
CDs
Streaming services have changed the music game, causing CD sales to drop. With Spotify, Apple Music, and others offering huge music libraries at our fingertips, there’s just no need for physical discs anymore.
Calculators
Now that we have calculators on our smartphones and computers, we don’t really need to buy calculators by themselves anymore. Plus, there are many apps and websites that can do math for us. Because of this, not as many Americans are buying regular calculators as they used to.
Fax Machines
Thanks to email and digital document sharing, fax machines are starting to collect dust. Sending documents is quicker and simpler online, so not as many people or businesses are relying on faxing anymore.
Rolodexes
Digital contact management through smartphones and computer applications has made storing and organizing contact information much easier. As a result, traditional Rolodexes, once essential office tools, have become nearly obsolete.
Printed Encyclopedias
Sites like Wikipedia are handy because they’re free and constantly updated, which makes them more appealing than traditional printed encyclopedias. As a result, fewer people are buying old-school books anymore.
Cigarettes
Health concerns and stricter regulations have caused a drop in cigarette smoking. A lot of people are switching to vaping or quitting altogether. This change has really affected traditional cigarette sales.
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