SkyMall, the catalogue found on most US airlines and popular for selling quirky products like garden gnomes and 'orbit wheels', files for bankruptcy, blaming in-flight internet. [7] One of the top-selling items upon the company filing for bankruptcy, for instance, was a Yeti statue. SkyMall.com Home Page. The Federal Aviation Administration loosened the rules on using devices during take-offs and landings, and now SkyMall has filed for bankruptcy protection. SkyMall began its loyalty business in 1999. Since 1999, SkyMall ownership has "bounced around among several private-equity companies",[2] including by Najafi Companies, the largest private equity firm in Arizona in 2012. Old SkyMall: $80 USB-charging paper towel stand. "[9][10], Although Skymall started as a conventional retailer, it was quickly realized that consumers weren't likely to buy them as they were to buy "unconventional items". On Twitter, SkyMall said that folks can purchase products online at SkyMall.com and is expected to be back on planes by the year's end, according to the Huffington Post.. The first step began in … Last year alone, SkyMall lost $3.2 million so they have major moves to make up, because apparently you can't keep a company afloat by just selling Garden Yetis. Worsley incorporated SkyMall Inc. in Arizona and began mailing out his 100-page business plan to 50 venture capitalists and individual investors. [7] Smithsonian magazine has credited this decision with saving the company. [11], Not to be confused with the airport retail and concession company, "SkyMall Is Earthbound, but Its Legacy of Nutty Gifts Lives On", "C&A; Marketing of Ridgefield Park buys SkyMall brand", "SkyMall: The Strange Story of America's Most Delightfully Weird Catalogue", "How SkyMall Captured a Moment of Technological and American History", "Company buys SkyMall for $1.9 million, will make "dramatic changes, "Still Need A Lawn Yeti? The SkyMall retailing business had revenue of just about $33.7 million in 2013, which drastically declined to just $15.8 million for the nine months ending on September 28, 2014. [4] Originally, it intended to "get customers to order within 20 minutes of landing and have the goods waiting for them on arrival", before it switched to home delivery. 13 unexpected things you can still get from SkyMall, from least to most expensive Milkovasa/Shutterstock Known for quirky products, the former in-flight magazine SkyMall is still going. According to recent reports by Jezebel and the LA Times , the airline magazine with a readership and reach of 600 million travelers a year just might be on its way out. Brookstone competitor Sharper Image filed for bankruptcy in 2008, while mail-order business SkyMall followed suit in 2015. After a struggle with bankruptcy, you won't find endless pages of sleek tech gear. ©2020 Verizon Media. An essential daily guide to achieving the good life. Last week, SkyMall LLC, which publishes the well-known in-flight catalog, and its parent company, Xhibit Corp., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in … SkyMall is a specialty publishing firm headquartered in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey,[1] best known for once publishing a self-titled in-flight publication, SkyMall, that at one point had an annual circulation of approximately 20 million copies distributed in airplane seat pockets. In February 1990, WordPerfect co-creator Alan Ashton agreed to help finance the company, pitching in $250,000. This move, which did not receive the support of all of the founders, required a significant shift in SkyMall's focus and operations, ultimately forcing the company to abandon same-day delivery and nearly bankrupting it. Just for laughs, here are some of the most ridiculous items you can find in SkyMall: Part of HuffPost Style & Beauty. How did it last this long? ... SkyMall may not be an in-flight magazine anymore, but you can still shop its collection of absurd products online. (Worsley left soon after, got into sustainable energy and minerals, and served as an Arizona state senator from 2013 to 2018.) [2] Same-day delivery required SkyMall to operate its own warehouses near select airports. What’s different is that those business have adjusted to their new business environment and SkyMall has not. But let’s face it: There’s no way SkyMall can be viable if … ; After a struggle with bankruptcy, you won't find endless pages of … SkyMall was known for its bizarre and wacky products, hasn't been seen on airlines over the past year, but it may be returning sooner than we think. They were sort of the last man standing in the retail electronic parts and tech enthusiast niche (Frys Electronics and Circuit Specialists are the other competitors currently still in business). I've still not received my order for which they charged a … ", "SkyMall and GuestLogix to develop onboard shopping service", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=SkyMall&oldid=990828990, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, American Airlines/US Airways/American Eagle/TWA/America West Airlines, United Airlines/Continental Airlines/Eastern Airlines, SkyWest Airlines/Atlantic Southeast Airlines, This page was last edited on 26 November 2020, at 18:58. The company drastically changed its business model around 1993. [5], On January 22, 2015, SkyMall, LLC and several affiliated companies, including its parent company Xhibit Corp., voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona. Gogo wants you to text and make calls at 30,000 feet. Business Economics Sustainable business Diversity & equality in business ... even if SkyMall was still asking inventors to sell their new products on its … The company knew there a waiting groundswell of support, said SkyMall PR rep Melissa Hoistion, but the reaction was still a surprise for a company whose website was still … The iconic in-flight magazine SkyMall filed for bankruptcy today, saying the increasingly competitive, constantly changing retail environment has pushed it out of business.. Items ordered from -SkyMall- may be subject to tax in certain states, based on the state to which the order is shipped. [2] In April 2015, it was purchased in bankruptcy court by C&A Marketing. SkyMall is a multi-channel, direct marketer offering products through direct marketers and manufacturers through its SkyMall catalogue and website, skymall.com. The unsuspecting consumer I guess. The challenges that SkyMall is facing are not unique. SkyMall is back from bankruptcy and ready for business. In April, New Jersey-based C&A Marketing purchased Skymall out of bankruptcy protection with plans to revive the business. The Internet has operated as a disruptive force for many tradition brick-and-mortar based businesses. While we've never had enough money to purchase most of the products in the quirky catalog, SkyMall is still way too much fun to look at and debate how much you really need that $8,000 massage chair or Harry Potter-esque Magic Wand Remote Control because you always need it. Known for quirky products, the former in-flight magazine SkyMall is still going. Simply put, SkyMall is no longer the default boredom cure it once was. If you're still shopping the SkyMall catalog, then this news is going to hit you pretty hard: The in-flight publication may be going out of business. All rights reserved. [5] In 2009 SkyMall's website "generated approximately $80.5 million in revenue", making it the 185th largest e-commerce website by revenue. Despite today’s changed technological playing field, SkyMall still delivers one thing better than any other in-flight retailer: whimsy. (Photo: SkyMall.com) Before you mourn the wacky SkyMall, some crazy products will still be in … Hair Washing Tray - Our exceptionally easy-to-use EZ-SHAMPOO HAIR WASHING TRAY is contoured to fit neck comfortably and rest on client's shoulders for easy shampooing. This niche used to include Olsen Electronics, Tech America (actually a Radio Shack subsidiary), Incredible Universe, Heathkit and many others. [6] The company now offers goods from other companies' catalogs for drop-ship to the customer via third-party transport firms. SkyMall fully suspended its retail catalog operation January 16 and laid off … If you're still shopping the SkyMall catalog, then this news is going to hit you pretty hard: The in-flight publication may. [7] The Washington Post described the catalog's offerings as "whimsical". SkyMall currently does not really have a compelling identify. Those contracts certainly buoyed up the business, but I still think they were on an inexorable downward slope. It looks the same as it always has.". Save yourself all the trouble, time, regret, frustration, etc. As New York retail consultant Bob Phibbs told the LA Times, "SkyMall feels to me like its in a time warp. Xhibit Corp, the parent company behind SkyMall, filed for federal bankruptcy on Friday after making only $15.8 million in 2014, Money reported. Due diligence quickly uncovered that all of SkyMall’s contracts with airlines – the foundation of the entire business – had lapsed. In January 2015, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories No shortage of strange items have popped up on SkyMall over the years. It has also come to light through various news sources that SkyMall lost its contracts with the airlines. And, that is exactly what he hopes to do. According to initial reports of the company's bankruptcy, SkyMall revenues totaled $33.7 million in 2013, but were just $15.8 million through the first nine months of 2014. SkyMall, Inc. was founded in 1990 by Bob Worsley, Alan Lobock, Matthew Del Bianco, and Graham Alcock. [5], On May 17, 2013, SkyMall merged with Xhibit Corp, described as a new "marketing software and digital advertising company that trades on an 'over-the-counter' exchange where equity shares of small companies can be bought and sold". [8] On April 1, SkyMall was purchased out of bankruptcy court by C&A Marketing for $1.9 million; the new owners plan to re-launch the catalog with a new product selection that will partially downplay the brand's association with novelty items in favor of "more of the innovative, fun, cool products that people are looking for, but that are still in keeping with the DNA of SkyMall. Jordan insists that the concept of in-flight shopping is still valuable — if and when a brand can get back on airplanes. Instead of stocking the merchandise itself near airports, Skymall began leasing sections of the magazines to various distributors which customers would then order from directly. News U.S. News World News Business Environment Health Social Justice. If SkyMall doesn't find a way to appeal to its massive audience, then it's going to be a swift landing for the unrequited leader in airline sales (aside from airline attendants and their "buy some headphones and snacks" schtick). [citation needed]. Hoop Home Security Camera, 1080p IP Indoor Wired Video Surveillance System, Sound/Motion Detection | 350° Pan/Tilt, Text to Speech, 2-Way Audio, Reminders, Live View, Smart App | Family & Pet Friendly [3], SkyMall, Inc. was founded in 1990 by Bob Worsley, Alan Lobock, Matthew Del Bianco, and Graham Alcock. [5], Shortly after launching, the company purchased contracts from another company that allowed it to offer catalog merchandise to travelers flying U.S. air carriers. At one point, it reached 88% of US airlines passengers. SkyMall made just $15.8 million in the first nine months of 2014 — down from $33.7 million in 2013. Same-day delivery required SkyMall to operate its own warehouses near select airports. Good News — SkyMall May Be Cleared For Relaunch", "SkyMall, the wacky in-flight catalogue, is filing for bankruptcy. If you're still shopping the SkyMall catalog, then this news is going to hit you pretty hard: The in-flight publication may be going out of business. From a 2001 filing by SkyMall Inc., we know that the loyalty business accounted for no more than 15 percent … According to recent reports by Jezebel and the LA Times, the airline magazine with a readership and reach of 600 million travelers a year just might be on its way out. Originally, it intended to "get customers to order within 20 minutes of landing and have the goods waiting for them on arrival", before it switched to home delivery. ... but the reaction was still a surprise for a company whose website was still in "soft launch" mode. By Carly Ledbetter . of dealing with SkyMall, Now that I see all their very poor reviews on multiple review sites, I wonder how they can stay in business. If the SkyMall catalogue still exists in 2025, it will probably look like this. 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