Additional Coverage:
- 5 Dying Industries That Are Expected To Disappear in the Next 10 Years (financebuzz.com)
Industries seldom vanish overnight, but advancements in technology, automation, and evolving consumer preferences can rapidly reshape entire sectors. Over the next decade, several once-familiar industries are poised to face significant declines in workforce, clientele, or overall relevance as innovative alternatives rise to prominence.
For those currently employed in these transforming fields, early awareness is crucial. It allows time to acquire new skills, pivot careers, or generate additional income before opportunities become scarce. Below are five industries expected to undergo major shifts in the coming ten years, along with the factors contributing to their downturn.
1. Print Newspaper and Magazine Publishing
The U.S. print newspaper sector has experienced a steep decline, with advertising revenue plummeting approximately 81% from 2005 to 2020. Print advertising itself has collapsed by 92%, falling from $73.2 billion in 2000 to just $6 billion in 2023. Over the past two decades, more than 3,500 newspaper outlets have shut down-a 39% reduction-leading to the loss of over 270,000 newsroom jobs.
Digital platforms, social media, and search engines have captured the advertising dollars that once supported print journalism. Giants like Google and Meta now command over half of global digital ad spending, funds that historically financed reporters, editors, and printing operations.
2. Cable Television
While cable TV is on the decline, television as a medium is not disappearing. Streaming services, connected TV advertising, and virtual pay-TV options are attracting both viewers and advertising revenues away from traditional cable.
Employees in cable operations are transitioning toward roles in broadband infrastructure, streaming platform management, and digital advertising technologies. The content remains accessible; what’s changing is how it’s delivered.
3. Department Stores
Traditional department stores are undergoing structural contraction, with industry forecasts indicating revenue declines around 2.4% annually due to competition from e-commerce and off-price retailers. Recent store closures highlight this trend:
- Macy’s plans to close 150 stores by 2026, reducing its locations from about 500 to 350.
- Kohl’s has reported 11 consecutive quarters of declining sales.
- Saks Global filed for bankruptcy early in 2026.
Shifting consumer habits are the primary driver, as shoppers increasingly prefer online and discount retailers offering convenience, price transparency, and lower costs. While department stores may not disappear entirely, the industry is contracting. Surviving stores are likely to focus on premium experiences and strengthen their online presence, with traditional mall locations facing the most pressure.
4. Commercial Printing
The commercial printing sector continues to shrink as businesses adopt digital marketing and reduce reliance on printed materials. Industry revenue dropped 4.6% in 2026, further strained by rising paper and material costs.
Though traditional printing is declining, packaging, labeling, and specialty printing remain more resilient, as these services lack direct digital substitutes. Workers with printing experience may find opportunities by transitioning to digital design, automated production, or packaging roles.
5. Landline and Telephony Services
Traditional landline telephone use continues to wane, with 78% of households relying exclusively on wireless phones as of 2026. Telecom companies are replacing outdated copper-wire systems with fiber optics, mobile networks, and internet-based communication technologies.
While traditional landlines are fading, telephony itself evolves. Workers skilled in maintaining older systems may pivot to expanding areas like fiber installation, broadband infrastructure, and mobile network services.
Emerging Demand and Career Adaptation
The common theme among these industries is not the disappearance of demand, but a transformation in how services and products are delivered. People still consume news, shop, use printed materials, and communicate, but increasingly through digital and modern platforms.
Adapting to this shift means developing transferable skills in areas such as digital content creation, data analysis, e-commerce, network technology, and digital advertising. These fields offer promising career growth and new opportunities.
The Bottom Line
While these five industries may not vanish entirely within a decade, they are expected to contract and employ fewer people. Meanwhile, the overall economy is projected to add approximately 5.2 million jobs between 2024 and 2034, with healthcare and social assistance leading the growth.
For workers in shrinking industries, staying alert to emerging trends and acquiring adaptable skills will be key to maintaining income stability and opening pathways to new careers.
Practical Money Tips for Everyone
Regardless of financial status, there are always ways to enhance your finances:
- Increase your income: Explore side hustles or additional income streams that complement your full-time job.
- Grow your assets: Harness the power of compound interest by starting early and possibly consulting a financial professional to plan for retirement.
- Maximize opportunities: Take advantage of discounts, deals, and benefits available to you, including shopping around for better car insurance rates, and avoid common financial pitfalls that quietly erode your savings.
Being proactive with your career and finances can help you navigate economic changes and build lasting wealth.
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- 5 Dying Industries That Are Expected To Disappear in the Next 10 Years (financebuzz.com)