They’re a forward-thinking, savvy bunch, and they’ve got a great vision of the future. Millennials are nothing like the generations that preceded them. They don’t conform to social norms, and they wholly embrace modern ways of living. One thing’s for sure, they’ve made it clear that they’re not investing their money in certain products, and it’s miraculously changed the evolution of society. Bad habits are dying out and businesses are taking a hit, but the world is becoming a better place. Let’s look at 19 products that Millennials refuse to buy.
Printed Newspapers
With news available instantly on our phones, buying newspapers seems outdated nowadays. Traditional media outlets are feeling the pinch as news-enthusiasts millennials choose smartphone apps over physical copies that are deemed wasteful.
Cable TV Subscriptions
Cable is becoming more old-school by the day and the various streaming options allow us to watch what we want without paying pricey subscription fees. While most of us have invested in Cable at some stage or another, millennials won’t even entertain the idea, cable companies are scrambling to adapt to the streaming revolution.
Physical Video Games
Digital downloads and online marketplaces have made physical game stores less relevant. There's no longer a stigma in buying preloved items, so anything that isn’t available for streaming can easily be bought from a marketplace at a low cost. The gaming industry is shifting toward digital distribution to suit millennial buying habits, unsurprisingly.
Fast Food
With their healthy outlook on food and drink, Millennials are opting out of takeaways and opting for organic options. They’re refusing to contribute to alcohol sales with their refreshing sober approach to socializing and they’re all for supporting local produce rather than multinational companies.
Fax Machines
In the age of email and document-sharing apps, fax machines seem like ancient technology. Fax machine manufacturers are struggling to stay relevant, but we’re surprised to hear they even exist.
Disposable Plastic Straws
Environmental consciousness has led sustainability-supporting Millennials to shun single-use plastics. This shift is pressuring companies to adopt more sustainable alternatives, and many are jumping on board to meet modern buying standards. The companies that aren’t are going to feel the pressure, however.
Printed Encyclopedias
It seems an 80s notion to own an Encyclopaedia and every household had one. You won’t catch Millennials bringing one into their home when they can access all the information online for free. If print encyclopedia publishers are still a thing, they’ll be feeling the impact, but most have opted to go digital.
Traditional Alarm Clocks
Gone are the days of the clunky alarm clocks. Smartphones have built-in alarms that allow you to set your favorite wake-up tones and songs, so why clutter your nightstand with a separate alarm clock when your phone can do the job? Alarm clock manufacturers are facing declining sales.
DVDs and Blu-ray Discs
Well-known DVD stores like Blockbuster went out of trade as soon as streaming services came to the fore. We pined at first, but now we’re embracing the convenience and variety that Millennials embrace. Streamlining is much easier, cheaper, and more efficient. We’re fully on board.
Disposable Cameras
In the age of smartphones with impossibly high-quality cameras, disposable cameras seem obsolete and camera companies are losing. It’s unlikely that many Millennials own a camera due to their bulkiness and complicated usage. Open your phone and hit the camera icon, what’s not to love?
Printed Maps
GPS navigation apps have made printed maps unnecessary for most people. Millennials have probably never even owned a map, much less used one. The days of having to find your way somewhere with a sheet of paper are long on. Nowadays, we open an app and enter the destination. How would Millennials even cope with a non-speaking GPS?
Traveler's Checks
Most of us once loaded up with traveler's checks before heading overseas but now we’re doing it all on our smartphones with a double click. Millennials are unlikely to have ever purchased traveler's checks in favor of mobile payment apps and credit cards. Financial institutions are understandably phasing them out.
Plastic Water Bottles:
Concerns about plastic pollution have led Millennials to opt for reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastic. Beverage companies are investing in sustainable packaging solutions to meet their needs and encourage more of us to follow suit. It takes the rest of us a little longer to catch on, but Millennials are all about carrying reusable drinking bottles.
Printed Photos
Remember the days of developing photos and having them printed? If so, you’re showing your age. Millennials wouldn’t know how to develop photos due to advances in digital photo storage and social media. Printing photos has become far less common and photo printing services are seeing declining usage.
Physical Lottery Tickets
With everything now available online, it’s much easier to buy a lottery ticket from our smartphones. Millennials who choose to gamble favor online lottery platforms that offer the same experience without the need for physical tickets. Traditional lottery retailers are facing competition from online platforms.
Disposable Razors
Safety razors and electric shavers offer cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to disposable razors, a big win for environmentally conscious Millennials. As an alternative, many Millennials are boldly choosing to rebel against shaving body hair and embracing their natural bodies.
Landlines
Who needs a landline when you've got smartphones? Has a Millennial ever seen a landline? They view them as relics of the past, and there’s no need to pay extra bills when you have a cell phone attached to you 24/7. The telecom industry must have taken a hit, but landlines have been in decline for several years with the growing trend of smartphones.
Printed Books
For some of us, the thought of letting go of physical books is a bridge too far. Eco-savvy millennials refuse to buy books as they contribute to waste, instead choosing digital versions of their favorite fiction or non-fiction,
