“From Disasters to Duds: The Failed Products That Tanked Giants’ Fortunes”
Google Glass Never Went Beyond Beta
In 2013, Google released a pair of “smart glasses.” These glasses could take photos and browse the internet while you wore them. However, beta versions were discontinued in 2015 due to a variety of reasons.
One was the high price tag. The Google Glass cost $1,500, and it didn’t provide anything new for users. It also had a clunky design, and users became concerned about internet privacy. However, later editions of Google Glass still sell in the workplace.
Cheetos Lip Balm (And Many Other Snack Flavors)
In 2005, FritoLay and its parent company, PepsiCo, tapped into the lip balm industry. They collaborated with a cosmetics company called Lotta Luv to create Cheetos Lip Balm. Oddly enough, the lip balm stayed on the market until 2011.
These oddly-flavored lip balms were all the rage in the early 2000s. Lotta Luv also created Hostess Ding Dong, Lay’s Sour Cream and Onion, and Junior Mints lip balms. Teens loved these balms until they went out of style.
47 Ronin, Universal Pictures’ Biggest Regret
In 2013, Universal Pictures released a Keanu Reeves movie on Christmas weekend called 47 Ronin. The movie was rumored to cost between $175 million and $225 million. It only grossed $9.9 million by the end of the weekend and $48.7 million overall.
Critics panned 47 Ronin, but that’s not the only reason why it failed. It released on the same weekend as The Wolf of Wall Street and The Hobbit‘s sequel, both of which were more desirable films.
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