Now it’s not hard to see how the business model wasn’t sustainable into the aughts and beyond.
– It was just a matter of time: The company behind SkyMall, the inflight magazine that pitched air travelers stuff they didn't need, has filed for bankruptcy. It could go no longer compete now that people are allowed to fire up their smartphones and tablets on the plane, especially against the likes of Amazon. Xhibit Corp. has suspended the catalog but hopes it might survive in a bankruptcy deal. Business writers can't resist picking out their favorite items for sale: Wall Street Journal: "If a bankruptcy deal doesn’t happen, some flyers will be sad to see the seller of Bigfoot Garden Yeti statues (which retails for $2,250 for the life size model) and Litter Robots (a robotic self-cleaning cat litter box for $359.99) go the way of other now-defunct retailers." MarketWatch: "There’s still time to get that special tortilla baby blanket from SkyMall, of course, but ..." Reuters: "(N)ovelty items ranging from personalized socks to dog beds to a $2,499 football helmet signed by Notre Dame players and coaches." New York Times: Its story mentions "a Santa Claus Sculptural Glass-Topped Holiday Table for $129; and $1,000 Serenity Pods for cats and dogs, fitted with a wireless sound system and LED lights, which promised to gently rock them to sleep." USA Today: The company "that entices airline travelers with offers for iFetch ball launchers for dogs and mini clap-on alarm clocks, is ..." Wired: This is more of an ode, and apology, from SkyMall adorer Emily Dreyfuss. "I’m sorry I paid $7 for inflight Wi-Fi instead of reading you, little shopping catalog. Forgive me. "