Some of the world’s biggest companies came surprisingly close to disappearing forever. A few bad years, one failed product, or a financial crisis nearly ended brands that now feel unstoppable.
1. Apple Nearly Ran Out of Money in the 1990s
By 1997, Apple was losing money rapidly and market share was collapsing. The return of Steve Jobs and a major investment from Microsoft helped keep the company alive long enough to reinvent itself.
2. LEGO Was Losing Millions Every Year
In the early 2000s, LEGO expanded into too many products and struggled financially. The company simplified its business, focused on core sets, and staged one of the biggest corporate turnarounds in retail history.
3. Nintendo Survived a String of Failed Businesses
Before video games, Nintendo tried taxis, hotels, and even instant rice products. Several failed ventures nearly pushed the company off course before gaming transformed its future.
4. Starbucks Closed Hundreds of Stores
During the financial crisis of 2008, Starbucks shut down hundreds of locations and slowed expansion dramatically. Many questioned whether the coffee boom had ended for good.
5. Marvel Entered Bankruptcy in the 1990s
Comic book sales collapsed and Marvel filed for bankruptcy protection in 1996. A few years later, its movie strategy completely changed the entertainment industry.
6. Netflix Almost Sold Itself to Blockbuster
In 2000, Netflix offered to sell to Blockbuster for about $50 million. Blockbuster declined, and the streaming revolution that followed completely reversed both companies’ fortunes.
7. Adidas Struggled to Compete in North America
By the early 1990s, Adidas had lost significant market share and faced serious financial problems. A major restructuring eventually returned the company to global growth.
8. Ford Avoided Bankruptcy During the Financial Crisis
Unlike several major American automakers, Ford avoided bankruptcy by securing financing before the 2008 crisis hit its worst point, allowing the company to survive independently.