Failure to React: Part II

Recently, I touched on the demise of several  local Friendly’s restaurants, the family-oriented concept with locations sprinkled throughout the Northeast that for years had become a dining destination venue for millions since its founding in 1934.

The area franchisee was forced to file bankruptcy – the eatery had unfortunately remained stagnant and was overtaken by more vibrant competitors who realized that the 1960s and 70s might be nostalgic in TV reruns, but most consumers want something preferably from this century.

Last week I saw another familiar staple wave “adios” to the marketplace, and one nearly everyone who flies would have more than a passing familiarity with. 

SkyMall, the omnipresent in-flight catalog that was always reliably wedged in your seatback pocket has fallen victim to progressive technology.

The magazine that offered such cheesy items as a lawn Yeti, a handicapped ramp for an elderly or disabled pet, or a giant tray nap table pillow has filed for Chapter 11, listing some $50 million in liabilities and $10 million in assets. The magazine attributed its malaise to the success of the online retail marketplace led by such stalwarts as Amazon.

Those who follow the sector said that with an increased number of air carriers offering amenities such as free Wi-Fi and the FAA loosening its restrictions on electronic devices, interest in traditional in-flight publications like SkyMall began to dip.

But if you’re anything like me and occasionally forgot to buy a magazine for the ride, SkyMall and the requisite house publication of the airline you were flying, were lifesavers. Not only did it fill time, but provided some comic relief as well. I mean you couldn’t make some of the SkyMall offerings up if you hired the writing staff from Saturday Night Live.

And as embarrassed as I am to admit it, I still have a shovel and broom storage container I purchased from the publication some 12 years ago. Funny how items never look the same when you remove them from the package as they do on the pages. And imagine my surprise when I discovered that you had to actually assemble it.

And sadly, SkyMall won’t be the last company to yield to more progressive competition.

But it was sure fun while it lasted.