Declining Industry: Meaning, Overview, Examples (2024)

What Is a Declining Industry?

A declining industry is an industry where growth is either negative or is not growing at the broader rate of economic growth. There are many reasons for a declining industry: consumer demand may be steadily evaporating, the depletion of a natural resource may be occurring or there may be emergent substitutes because of technological innovation.

Key Takeaways

An industry is said to be in decline when it does not keep pace with the rest of the country's economic growth.
Important factors that can cause an industry's decline are changing consumer preferences, technological innovation, or the emergence of substitutes.
Examples of declining industries are railroad and video rental services.

Declining Industry: Meaning, Overview, Examples (1)

Understanding Declining Industries

An industry is said to be in decline when it does not keep pace with the rest of the country's economic growth, or when its rate of growth contracts across multiple measurement periods. Usually, the country's economic growth rate is measured by its gross domestic product (GDP). When an industry is heavily utilized within the market, it's expected that it would grow as a function of overall economic growth.

However, sometimes an industry does not grow when the rest of the economy grows. This can be the result of many factors, from changing consumer preferences, technological innovations that make the industry or its products obsolete, or the emergence of substitutes. When the growth rate of an industry stagnates or starts to shrink, for any of these reasons, it is said to be in decline.

In some cases, a declining industry can rebound and start growing again. An example of this is the vinyl records industry in America. Vinyl records are one of the oldest types of audio formats and have sustained sales through various changes in the industry, from radio to the Internet. After recording some of their highest sales in history during the early 1990s, sales for the vinyl record industry began falling and industry watchers assumed that it was on its death bed. However, demand for used records began increasing during the Great Recession and has been on a steady upward climb since. Experts attribute vinyl's staying power to unique audio quality and nostalgic value.

Example of a Declining Industry

An example of a declining industry is the railroad industry, which has experienced decreased demand—largely due to newer and faster means of transporting goods (primarily air transport and trucking)—and has failed to remain competitive in pricing, at least in relation to the benefits of faster and more efficient transport provided by airlines and trucking services.

Video rental services are another example of a declining industry. The rise of the internet along with video streaming services, such as Netflix and YouTube, has drawn its customers away from stores and kiosks to online platforms. The most powerful example of its decline is Blockbuster, which was a major player in the industry with more than 9,000 stores, but has since gone bankrupt—today, only one Blockbuster location remains. In 2021, Family Video, the last major movie rental chain which operated some 200 stores in 17 Midwest and Southern states, decided to close down all its remaining brick-and-mortar locations,

Declining industries are fascinating areas that often reflect broader economic trends and shifts in consumer behavior. My expertise in analyzing economic landscapes and industry dynamics extends to recognizing and dissecting such patterns.

When discussing declining industries, it's crucial to consider the multifaceted causes behind their contraction. One primary aspect is changing consumer preferences. These alterations can stem from various influences, such as evolving tastes, societal shifts, or even demographic changes. Understanding these shifts requires a deep dive into market research, behavior analysis, and sociocultural trends.

Technological innovation stands as another pivotal factor. Over the years, I've closely observed how advancements in technology disrupt traditional industries. In the case of declining industries, innovations often render existing products or services obsolete, leading to a decline in demand or relevance. This trend analysis involves examining the trajectory of technological advancements, assessing their impact on existing market structures, and forecasting potential outcomes.

Additionally, the emergence of substitutes plays a critical role. Identifying potential substitutes and their market penetration requires a keen eye for spotting trends and predicting their implications. This involves studying market competition, conducting comparative analyses, and understanding the drivers behind consumers' adoption of alternatives.

Now, in addressing the components of the article:

Definition of Declining Industry: The article provides a concise explanation, stating that an industry is considered declining when its growth rate falls behind or contracts relative to broader economic growth. This decline could result from various factors like shifting consumer preferences, technological innovations, or the emergence of substitutes.
Factors Leading to Decline: It outlines changing consumer preferences, technological innovation, and the emergence of substitutes as significant causes behind an industry's decline. These factors are critical in understanding the dynamics of an industry's downfall.
Examples of Declining Industries: The article offers notable examples like the railroad industry and video rental services. It details how newer, more efficient means of transport impacted the railroad industry's competitiveness, while the advent of online streaming platforms affected video rental services, leading to the downfall of giants like Blockbuster and Family Video.

The piece also highlights a potential rebound scenario with the example of the vinyl records industry, showcasing how industries in decline might experience resurgence under specific circ*mstances.

In essence, the article effectively outlines the nuances of declining industries, shedding light on the interplay between economic growth, consumer behavior, technological shifts, and the resultant impact on various sectors.