“Adapt or die” isn’t just a cliché in 2025—it’s a survival manual. While headlines obsess over AI and quantum computing, seven “outdated” industries are quietly staging comebacks by merging tradition with radical innovation.
Contrary to popular belief, print media isn’t dead—it’s now a $9B luxury niche. Malls are thriving as hybrid social hubs. Even door-to-door sales are surging thanks to Gen Z’s love for retro experiences.
This article uncovers how industries written off as obsolete are rebooting for 2025—and what your business can learn from their playbooks.
1. Funeral Services: Grief Tech and Eco-Burials
Why It Was “Dying”:
- 80% of millennials preferred cremation over traditional funerals (2020).
- Rising costs turned younger generations away.
2025 Revival Strategy:
- AI Memorials: Startups like Eternos create interactive avatars of loved ones using voice/cloning tech.
- Green Burials: Mushroom suits that decompose bodies into soil (see Coeio) now dominate 25% of the market.
- Niche Positioning: Funeral homes rebrand as “legacy experience designers.”
Key Takeaway: Even timeless industries must rebrand for ethical and tech-savvy audiences.
2. Print Media: From Newspapers to Luxury Art
Why It Was “Dying”:
- Print ad revenue dropped 65% from 2000-2020.
2025 Revival Strategy:
- Hyper-Local Newspapers: The Bristol Cable (UK) thrives with community-funded, ad-free reporting.
- Tactile Luxury: The New York Times now sells $200/month “unedited print editions” for collectors.
- Hybrid Subscriptions: Buy a print magazine, get exclusive podcast access (e.g., Monocle’s model).
Stat: Print’s luxury segment grew 12% YoY since 2023 (PwC, 2025).
3. Malls: From Retail Graveyards to Experience Hubs
Why It Was “Dying”:
- 60% of U.S. malls closed between 2010-2023.
2025 Revival Strategy:
- Micro-Warehousing: Same-day pickup zones for e-commerce giants (Amazon leases 40% of mall spaces).
- Skate Parks + Co-Working: Mall of America added AI-powered VR arcades and freelance pods.
- Eatertainment: Food halls with TikTok-ready themes (e.g., Time Out Market’s “Cyberpunk Ramen” pop-ups).
Pro Tip: Malls now monetize convenience (returns, pickups) and FOMO-driven experiences.
4. Cable TV: The Nostalgia Streaming Wars
Why It Was “Dying”:
- Cord-cutting rates hit 35% in 2023.
2025 Revival Strategy:
- Bundle Mania: Comcast’s “Stream + Internet + Smart Home” packages undercut Netflix.
- AI-Curated Channels: Platforms like Pluto TV mimic 90s cable grids with personalized ads.
- Analog Appeal: Gen Z buys retro “cable boxes” for curated, ad-supported comfort content.
Quote: “Young viewers are tired of decision fatigue. They want TV to ‘happen’ to them again.” – Variety, 2025
5. Door-to-Door Sales: Gen Z’s Retro Rebellion
Why It Was “Dying”:
- Post-pandemic wariness killed cold calls.
2025 Revival Strategy:
- Ethical D2D: Solar companies like SunPower train reps as “green consultants,” not salespeople.
- NFT Membership Cards: Buy a crypto token, get exclusive doorstep access (e.g., Bored Apes Wine Club).
- TikTok Live Sales: Reps film door-to-door pitches in real-time (see NuSkin’s $2B influencer pivot).
Stat: D2D is now a $12B industry, up 200% since 2022 (Forbes, 2025).
6. Fax Machines: Healthcare’s Unlikely Hero
Why It Was “Dying”:
- Obsolete tech… until hackers made email unsafe.
2025 Revival Strategy:
- Encrypted Fax 2.0: Startups like SafeFax add blockchain layers for HIPAA-compliant medical records.
- Analog Security: Law firms and hospitals pay 4x more for “unhackable” faxes over cloud systems.
- Vintage Office Aesthetics: Faxes are retro decor in co-working spaces (yes, seriously).
Key Takeaway: Sometimes, “old” tech solves new problems (like cybercrime).
7. Travel Agencies: AI Concierges Meet Human Touch
Why It Was “Dying”:
- Booking.com and Airbnb captured 80% of the market by 2023.
2025 Revival Strategy:
- AI + Human Hybrids: Luxe Travel uses ChatGPT to draft itineraries, then pairs clients with specialists.
- Crisis Travel Agents: Post-pandemic, agencies like Global Rescue focus on medical evacuations/risk mitigation.
- NFT Vacation Ownership: Buy a tokenized villa share, trade it like a stock (e.g., Pacaso 2.0).
Stat: Premium travel agencies grew 18% in 2024 (Skift, 2025).
FAQs
Q: How can I identify if my industry is ripe for a comeback?
Look for:
– Untapped niches (e.g., eco-conscious millennials).
– New tech that solves old problems (AI, blockchain).
– Cultural nostalgia (retro trends).
Q: What’s the biggest mistake reinvented industries make?
A: Overpricing. Example: Print media’s luxury pivot only worked with exclusive perks (e.g., celebrity interviews).
Q: Are legacy skills still relevant in these industries?
A: Yes! Travel agencies need empathy + AI fluency. Funeral homes require grief training + tech implementation skills.
Industries don’t die—they evolve. The key to 2025’s comeback stories? Niche audiences, hybrid tech, and leaning into retro-futurism.
Your Action Plan:
- Audit Your “Dead” Assets: Can you reposition legacy offerings (e.g., fax → cybersecurity)?
- Pilot Nostalgia Marketing: Limited-edition retro products or analog-digital hybrids.
- Hire Hybrid Talent: Tech-savvy trad experts (e.g., AI funeral planners).
