Things Are Disappearing Because Millennials Just Don’t Want To Pay For Them Anymore
Ditching the Drive-thru
Since the turn of the century, chains like McDonald’s and fast food, in general, had become one of the most popular choices of food among all age groups. In the 2020s, however, this no longer seems to be the case.
McDonald’s can use the clown to woo in their target audiences, but despite their best efforts, the younger generation seems to be parting ways with the concept of fast food. According to The Wall Street Journal, the ‘golden arches’ are losing their luster among millennials because they are instead opting for more healthy options. This is probably why we are seeing fast-food joints introducing plant-based burgers and sandwiches.
Who Even Has Time for Cereal
For kids growing up during the ’90s and the early ’00s, enjoying cereal and milk breakfast while watching cartoons was arguably one of their favorite pastimes. Fast forward to the current decade, and millennials have swapped out this morning snack for other diet choices like avocado toast.
According to a survey by the New York Times wherein it studied millennials’ breakfast preferences, 40% of the subjects said that a crunchy and sweet morning snack was not their first food of choice. In their own words, it was primarily due to the hassle of cleaning up afterward, which is why the trend of eating morning toast is on the rise.
Saying “I Do” and Kissing The Bride? No More
The phrase “You may now kiss the bride” might still be quite popular in films and TV shows, but in reality, this is not the case anymore in real life. For most young adults, hearing these sacred words used to be one of their most fantasized-about moments, which is why it’s pretty sad for romantics like us.
According to the latest reports, younger Americans are now opting to get married at an older age or not tie the knot altogether anymore. During the ’80s, close to 70% of the population aged between 25 and 34 had already tied the knot, but today half of that demographic is single.
On-Demand Entertainment
In the past, the most you could ask for in a movie theater was a good seating position and a box of snacks. These days, however, theaters are adorned with the latest gadgets and gizmos, installing features like a high definition iMax viewing experience, 4D and 5D films, and the like. Ever wonder why?
If you’re curious about why theaters today offer reclining chairs and bars in-house, there is a good reason why. Thanks to more in-home entertainment options for millennials, the cinema industry is slowly but surely dying, which is why they are desperately competing for your attention.
No Gas? No Problem
In the modern age, the automobile industry is not having the best of times, and millennials could be to blame here. For this demographic, cars are increasingly becoming less of a necessity and more of a burden.
According to the latest survey findings, automakers are shocked to find that millennials are waiting longer and longer to get their driving licenses. One reason for this trend is definitely the rise of ride-hailing and ride-sharing apps like Uber, Lyft, and GrabTaxi that are much more convenient and have thus made traditional motoring almost a thing of the past.
Body Wash is Taking Over Soap
Your bathtub and sinks might come with a built-in tray to hold your soap, but as it seems right now, this trend is on its way out. For the newer generation, body wash is the way to go, which is why they are pairing body wash with shampoo and other toiletries in their, well, bathrooms.
According to a report from MarketWatch wherein several subjects between the age of 18 and 24 were quizzed, young adults are now shying away from bars of soap. It’s because they believe germs can cling onto them after use, making the use of body wash seem more hygienic.
Gyms Are So Old School
While millennials are indeed single-handedly responsible for the rise of trends like working out and staying fit, they are now opting for non-traditional methods of doing so. In the past, to remain in peak physical shape, you had to be a gym rat, but this is not the case anymore.
According to the New York Post, the newer generation is more inclined towards things like CrossFit training facilities, online streaming services, boutique studio classes, and running clubs. With this trajectory, traditional training facilities might soon be a thing of the past.
Fabric Softener Is Optional
Between 2007 and 2015, the fabric softener market saw an alarming 15% drop in sales. A recent report from The Wall Street Journal suggests that younger users are skipping on fabric softeners and just sticking with washing fluids and detergents.
This suggests that millennials don’t feel the need to use a fabrics softener given the technological advances in automatic washers and the increased fabric quality of modern clothing. Regardless, marketers and company executives are now scrambling to find new ways to connect with this demographic to help save the floundering fabric softener industry.
The Dying Cruise Ship Industry
The cruise-ships industry might have been subjected to something of a horror show during the lockdown and travel restrictions. Still, considering the travel preferences of the younger generation, the future is not looking too bright for this segment.
Older and more mature readers among us might have grown up watching films like “The Love Boat” and falling in love with the prospect of a luxurious, romantic, and fun vacation on the waters, but this is not the case with millennials. According to Caribbean News Service, this demographic is more interested in ‘authentic experiences” instead, which is probably why they are not swayed by the prospect of a luxurious cruise ship.
Saying No to Brews
For local breweries and pubs, the latest trends involving millennials might be a cause for concern. Research suggests that, while the older generations might have grown up on beer and pub conversations in the past, the younger generation is going a whole different route.
It was almost a travesty for a household fridge to be without any beer in previous years, but young adults are now swapping out the alcohol for other pastimes like pot. This means that drinking in public and private is not only becoming less and less common, but it might also even become something that is frowned upon in the future.
Hello Streaming, Bye Bye TV
The TV industry has spent decades establishing its dominance in the entertainment sphere, but cable TV looks to be on its last legs, thanks to millennials. With the rise of streaming services like Azamon Prime, Netflix, HBO, and Hulu, all you need is a registered account and an Internet connection.
Additionally, waiting hours for your favorite show to air on television or, God forbid, if you’re late, start watching from somewhere in the middle is now a thing of the past. With streaming services, the consumer is now controlling what they watch and when they wish to watch it.
Casual Dining May Soon Be A Think of the Past
In modern times, restaurants find it increasingly hard to get customers to their door and seated at a table. According to the CEO of Buffalo Wild Wings, casual dining is much less prevalent now, thanks to the younger generation and their new ways.
For this age group, schlepping to your nearby diner, making an order, and waiting for the best part of half an hour just to get your food is a deal-breaker. This is why food delivery services like Uber Eats, Postmates, and GrubHub have become more and more popular while catering to the needs of the new generation.
Diamonds Aren’t Forever
The diamond industry has spent decades and millions of dollars building a market around rare gems and stones, linking them to festive occasions like marriages, engagements, Christmas presents, and anniversaries. They might want you to believe that these sparkling metals are a girl’s best friend, but the newer crowd is not taking the bait.
According to findings, millennials’ priorities very much differ from traditional beliefs, and buying an expensive, glorified rock for their significant other to celebrate a joyous occasion is seemingly the last thing on their minds. Instead, they are more focused on saving up for or splurging on things like their own homes.
Saying No To Get-Rich-Quick Schemes
The turn of the century has seen many men and women hit it big and make millions after trying their luck at raffles and lotteries. Similarly, several governments worldwide have also tossed their own hats into the proverbial ring to cash in on the rising trend of lotteries.
In the past, lotteries were all the rage, and in 2016, it was found that 61% of folks between the age of 50 and 64 participated in the lottery. In contrast, only a third of the population between 18 and 29 years old tried their luck on get-rich-quick schemes.
No Napkin for Me
Enjoying a meal at home? According to statistics, there is a 40% chance that you’re also using a napkin at the table. This figure stood at a steady 60% in the past, and millennials are primarily to blame for the decline in napkin use.
This is because Gen Y finds the use of paper towels more convenient since they do not need to be washed and re-circulated but can be discarded after use instead. According to a marketing director, the younger generation is also ditching the tradition of eating around a table—oh, how times have changed.
Ditching the Drive-thru
Since the turn of the century, chains like McDonald’s and fast food, in general, had become one of the most popular choices of food among all age groups. In the 2020s, however, this no longer seems to be the case.
McDonald’s can use the clown to woo in their target audiences, but despite their best efforts, the younger generation seems to be parting ways with the concept of fast food. According to The Wall Street Journal, the ‘golden arches’ are losing their luster among millennials because they are instead opting for more healthy options. This is probably why we are seeing fast-food joints introducing plant-based burgers and sandwiches.
Shopping at Your Fingertips
In the words of Ariana Grande, if the millennials want it, they’ve got it. This is mainly due to the rising trend of online shopping because, after all, nothing can quite compare to fulfilling your wildest style desires and buying your favorite outfit from the comfort of your own home.
This does beg the question—if using online services means you can now buy all of your essentials just after a few clicks of a button, what exactly is the point of local stores and malls? The concept seems even more dated once you consider the fact that most retailers are now offering same-day shipping and one-day delivery. Tempting.
Ditching the Suit for A T-Shirt
Billionaires like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and the UFC’s Dana White have proved that you don’t need to dress up in a suit to impress. Like Floyd Mayweather once said in Toronto in 2017, if you’ve already made it, you don’t have to wear suits anymore to prove your worth to the masses.
Inspired by tech moguls, millennials have also started following in the footsteps of ‘hip’ entrepreneurs and opting for more casual outfits. This is also why workplaces are now allowing their employees the luxury of showing up in casual outfits every single day of the week and not just on Friday.
Ironing Can be Such A Chore
In the past, every single household had an iron and an ironing board to make sure their outfits stayed wrinkle-free and in perfect shape. This also led to the rise of more advanced irons with features like steaming, different modes depending on the fabric, and cordless options for more versatility.
Similar to suits, ironing also seems to be fading trend as millennials seemingly don’t care as much about the creases and folds in their wardrobes. Plus, many of the fabrics today don’t need to be ironed, and even if they do, all you need is a splash of water, and they should be good as new again.
Stay Away from The Doorbell
While we’re on the topic of things going out the door, when’s the last time you’ve seen a young adult, or even yourself, use a traditional doorbell? We simply text or call the homeowner to tell them of our arrival on most occasions.
According to The Wall Street Journal, some younger individuals can even be freaked out at the sound of a ringing doorbell because they are so used to calling or texting on arrival or when receiving a guest. The next time you’re at the front door of a millennial, think twice before causing a ruckus by ringing the bell.
Where’s the Meat?
As animal rights activists have pleaded their case in the court of the public, millennials have happily hopped onto this bandwagon to voice their support. This means that not only the sales of fur coats and leather jackets are on the decline, but so too is the meat industry.
Some young adults have even gone to extreme lengths, like boycotting the meat industry altogether, citing the mistreatment of animals and the association of cows to climate change. Others have changed their eating habits and instead opted for a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle which has proved to be yet another blow for meat companies and vendors.
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