What brand of anything-food, appliances, vehicles, stores or clothing have seriously gone downhill?

[bucolic_frolic]

11. Now there's a question in my wheelhouse

You see, capitalism depends on innovation. New products, new companies, entrepreneurs. Venture capital, angel investors. Then they develop great products because they want to grow. Once they really start making money, there's not as much innovation so they focus on profits, and cheapen the product to make more money. One the new product pipeline is empty they level off into a cash cow where the product never changes, or they sell the company. The new owners have put millions of their expertise and MBA's to make the deal so they must cheapen the product to make any money.

This is an inevitable cycle. Shoes, power equipment, appliances, socks, cars. My 1980s fluffy socks are twice as thick as the watered down new ownership offers today. Some mechanics will tell you, for the money, for the physical inputs, for the quality, 3rd and 4th generation Hondas were best of breed. One even said so on YouTube.

Brands change hands. There are some superior companies that maintain quality and innovation. Electrolux, Husqvarna, Frigidaire, Eight O'Clock Coffee (now owned by the Chinese!). I'd buy anything from those four companies. Other companies license everything to outside manufacturers. Or sell under other brand names. If they won't put their name on it, there's a reason somewhere.

Rockports were developed by a shoe salesman who arranged custom shoes made in south America. The product grew and grew. Then it was sold. Same with Reebok.

There are companies who do nothing but buy brands and manage the products and operations. They tend to make good products that maintain quality.

What was the question? Oh downhill racers. My 1990s Asics lasted more than 12 years. Leather, thick vinyl, solid soles. Today, last years model is read for the junk pile. Thin vinyl, mesh fabric. These are "air shoes".