3 businesses that killed the millennials

young people under 30 years have raised many business plans, not just creating them but consuming and promoting them. In the same way, they have ended up with many others simply because they are no longer useful or attractive.

Here three of the victims:

1. Postcards

Not so long ago, if you traveled and wanted to share the experience with friends and family, you bought a postcard from one of the most emblematic places and sent it with a special dedication.

The new generations of travelers no longer need that expense: just take a selfie in some space and send it, with all dedication, by social networks: free, immediate and personalized.


According to the Travel and Leisure site, it says that since 2014, the sale of postcards has fallen 11.8%; this fall is in tune with the decline of physical letters.

Another clue to this fall: the US Postal Service (USPS) reported in 2005 that the mailing of postcards and letters was 45,900 pieces a year ... by 2014 the figure was 21,500 pieces.

In the UK, J Salmon, the oldest card printing company in the country, announced that it would stop this business: it estimated that 25 million postcards were still sold 25 years ago; currently the figure is 5 million.

Although there are no figures of the fall of this situation in Mexico, it is symbolic the increasing decrease of activity in the Mexican Postal Service (Sepomex), that from the government of Felipe Calderón threatens to declare bankruptcy.

2. Jewels

Not so long ago, buying a diamond, a valuable engagement ring or even 'real' (gemstone) earrings was considered a great investment, and even an excellent legacy for grandchildren and children.

Today, young people under the age of 30 have shown that such goods do not matter much because they are more inclined to invest their money in experiences (especially in travel and restaurants).

In addition, there is the fact that this generation marries less than others (for the purchase of engagement rings). Pew Research estimates that this generation marries after age 29, when years before the age was before 26.

The industry most affected by this is that of diamonds. De Beers, the world's largest producer of diamonds, says it has cut its sales of diamonds used for engagement rings by 9%.

But it's not just about money. According to Bank of America Merrill Lynch, there are generations that are not interested in jewelry or diamonds for an ethical issue: their sale and extraction involves the destruction of many natural reserves and the exploitation of many workers.

3. Business Cards

"If you want to know someone's age, ask him for his card: if he gives you one, he sure is not millennial," jokes an executive at his meetings. Most laugh, but there are those who are still offended: business cards have been the basis of many entrepreneurs (today called entrepreneurs), journalists and all kinds of professionals.

This goes beyond age: today there are countless Apps that allow you to exchange contact data, in addition to social networks (especially LinkedIn) have replaced the exchange of cards in business meetings or work.

Still, there are companies that still bet to revive the exchange of cards considering that, at least in the United States, still print 27 million of them a year (although the figure is 2.5% lower than a year ago ).