EnigmaDude (98.10)

10 Brands That Will Disappear In 2012

June 23, 2011 – Comments (3) | RELATED TICKERS: NOK , SHLD

First, a caveat.  This is not an original post but something I read on Comcast's web site.  So take it with whatever size grain of salt you choose and wash it down with a healthy dose of Jolt cola! (anyone remember Jolt?)

24/7 Wall St. has created a new list of brands that will disappear, which includes Sears (NASDAQ:SHLD), Sony Pictures (NYSE:SNE), American Apparel (NYSE:APP), Nokia (NYSE:NOK), Saab, A&W All-American Foods Restaurants, Soap Opera Digest, Sony Ericsson, MySpace (NYSE:NWS.A), and Kellog's Corn Pops. (NYSE:K).

Let's take a closer look at a few of these that I have opinions on.  First of all, Sears is doomed.  Not sure it will happen in 2012 but I am actually surprised that they are still around.  Last year I got a Sears credit card and used it to buy a refrigerator for my new house.  That was a bad idea!  After the initial 6 months of 0 interest they jacked up the rate on the remaining balance to 25%.  Luckily I have it just about paid off.  They also made the idiotic decision to acquire Kmart. The quality of Kenmore and Craftsman products continue to degrade which were the only real reasons to buy anything from Sears in the first place (I ended up buying a Samsung fridge).

Nokia - many CAPS members seem to agree that Nokia is doomed.  I am not so sure.  They need to do some restructuring perhaps but they have 16B in cash and decent profit margins in some of their businesses.  They don't just make mobile phones.  They bought Navteq, they offer Internet services under the Ovi name, they have Nokia Siemens networks, and they are a global business.  Essentially, they are like a Finnish version of GE.  They have been around since 1865! They just need to adapt to the changing times.

Saab - Unfortunately, I am a Saab driver.  I have always liked their cars and the quirky features that they offer.  They made a mistake selling out to GM and it hurt the quality.  I am very disappointed with the 2008 model that I am currently driving.  GM sold the company to a Swedish firm which seemed like a good idea (at least for GM) but it appears that they won't make it.  I will never buy another Saab.

MySpace - they are a goner.  Maybe TimeWarner or somebody will buy them out, but why?  Nuff said.

I could go on but I need to get back to my day job and eat a bowl of Corn Pops.  Feel free to comment freely or flame me as you wish.