We are one of the top 10 most innovative retail companies of 2022. The retailer stopped selling clothing when L Brands purchased it in the 80s. The company grew so fast that Neiman Marcus bought the brand in 1978. It closed half its stores at the start of 2020. Created without the normal dye that gives Pepsi its color, not much else was explained about the soda. Or fastest delivery Apr 24 - 27. Gimbels Facebook Gimbels was a department store that basically sold everything. He was just 42. The short-lived Ruehl No.925 was created by Abercrombie & Fitch Co. in 2004 to extend beyond its core teenage market to include older customers with more expensive tastes, the New York Times reported in 2005. After being a prominent department store across the mid-Atlantic and southern United States for 150 years, the store was acquired by Macy's, Inc. in 2005. By the end of World War II, their shops expanded into New England, growing steadily in the '50s and '60s. Times Syndication Service. When backlash grew against gas guzzlers like the Hummer and GM endured arson attacks, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and discontinued the Hummer. After filing for bankruptcy not once, but twice, the discount shoe company Payless ShoeSource finally decided to call it quits in 2019, when it announced it would close all of its US stores permanently. The plus-size retailer Avenue announced earlier this year that it would close all 222 of its US stores. Once the largest international airline in the U.S., Pan Am shuttered after 60 years commanding the skies. Gimbels was started in 1887 but became a chain department store in the 1920s. Owned by Wet Seal, Arden B hit the scene as a "sexed-up separates brand" in 1998, intended to compete with stores like Bebe and Express, according to Fashionista. Billionaire Richard Branson created Virgin America airlines in 2004 as a way to introduce something new and different to the industry. However, the brand took a major hit during the recession and lost $33 million in 2009, causing it to subsequently close for good in 2010. Stacker distribution partners receive a license to all Stacker stories, Grant Co. 25 Cent Store in Lynn, Massachusetts with $1,000 he had saved from his work as a salesman. Crystal Pepsi made its debut in a commercial that aired during the 1993 Super Bowl, implying to consumers that they would be tasting the future. Thrilling compiles a list of 10 once-iconic fashion brands from fashion history that no longer exist. Dixons. The last store closed in 2001 but relaunched as an online company in 2004. Declining sales led to AMC's partnership with Renault in 1979. Between 1999 and 2006 they rapidly expanded, nearly doubling the chains store count to 306. However, Netscape was no match for Microsoft, which released Internet Explorer shortly after Netscape. Bendel was only a small part of L Brands retail portfolio, and they cited sluggish sales as the reason for shuddering the long-standing brand. You may also like: 30 times history has tanked the stock market. Brands in this list may still be made, but are only made in modest quantities and/or limited runs as a nostalgic or retro style item. The AMC and Renault brand names were discontinued in the U.S. in 1987, when AMC was purchased by Chrysler. The short-lived Ruehl No.925 was created by Abercrombie & Fitch Co. in 2004 to "extend beyond its core teenage market to include older customers with more expensive tastes," the New York Times reported in 2005. WOW closed in 2019 after eight years in business. We took a closer look at some of the clothing brands we lost in the past 10 years. share our stories with your audience. Times Internet Limited. It might introduce a radical new design, like Alexander McQueen's dresses with wings. Founded in San Francisco in 1967, they partnered with Jessica McClintockin 1969 for a $5,000 investment. 10 brands that peaked in the 90s, including Blockbuster and Limited Too, announced it would close all 110 of its stores, De groeiformule ontleed: hoe je je bedrijf in drie jaar vijf keer zo groot laat groeien, Senior Communicatieadviseur Netherlands Branding, Strateeg Economie met leidinggevende ervaring. In our search, we consulted with sources such as TheStreet, Eat This, Not That!, and Good Housekeeping, along with dozens of consumer brand throwback lists to uncover which familiar brands from the past are now gone. Many of its High Street branches were rebranded Currys.digital. Emilio Pucci. By 2019, all 23 storesincluding the iconic flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York Cityclosed down along with its website, effectively ending the brands reign. The demographic proved to be limited, and the cars were eventually phased out in 2011. Between 1999 and 2006 they rapidly expanded, nearly doubling the chains store count to 306. In 2014, Arden B said goodbye for good, just a few years before its parent company did. But in 2006, the chain became part of Macys and was renamed. In business from 1991 through 2001, the educational toy store Zany Brainy targeted children ages 4 to 13. Borders Founded in 1971, bookstore chain Borders was forced to file bankruptcy and close all remaining stores by the end of 2011. "I don't think shoppers in the U.S. and Canada have totally walked away. Though you can still purchase American Apparel products on its revamped website, gone are the days of seeing its racy ads in store windows. From business suits to sportswear, McCardell designed a variety of looks, though a few truly stood out. Bugle Boy also sold shirts and other types of pants, like cargo. Aaron Montgomery started his company in 1872 as a mail-order business selling to farmers in rural areas near Chicago. Founder Howard Deering Johnson started the business as an ice cream stand outside Boston in 1925. Though Delia's . . By 1912, there were 596 stores, but the 1960s were tough, as store boycotts and the opening of Walmart, Kmart, and Target all ate into profits. The age of Minolta cameras lasted from 1926 to 2006. Founded in San Francisco in 1967, they partnered with, in 1969 for a $5,000 investment. To remember and celebrate these labels. By 1998, the company was acquired by AOL, and the browser was shut down in 2008. Vintage Foot Locker shoe store (1978) . Business failures can't always be blamed on new technologies taking over or consumer tastes changing. is one of the most collectible of vintage brands that no longer exist. Brand Price Availability Free Pickup Reset all filters 4 products Sort: 1 1 UO Emelie Mesh Shirt Dress $69.00. Related:From Bridges to Stadiums: 13 U.S. Icons That Are Falling Apart. Ask Jeeves launched in 1997 as a search engine complete with a concierge who helped visitors find what they soughtif they asked in the form of a question. It was considered General Motors' "innovation brand," introducing new features to consumers such as automatic transmission and air bags. At the time of his death, Fath's fashion line was still flourishing and his wife, Genevive Fath, took overthough she eventually shut down the fashion portion of the business. Are you ready to have your memory jogged with I-havent-thought-about-that-in-forever names like Gimbels and Mervyns? Hillary Clinton famously wore a Gunne Sax dress for her wedding to Bill in 1975. '70s Fashion Designers That Paved the Way Diane Von Furstenberg. Jordache rose to fame for its designer jeans throughout the late '70s and the '80s. Luxury fashion brand Roberto Cavalli filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and closed all of its US stores earlier this year, citing "significant financial distress," according to Retail Dive. And now, because of our success, we're probably helping Vidal., The brand brought a bit of fashion sense to, Founded in 1977 as Buckaroo International, the company had a bit of a hard time getting off the ground. Such is the case with the brands Stacker compiled here. The line produced performance vehicles such as the Fiero, Sunfire, and Solstice. But many simply closed their doors forever and surrendered to the march of time. Sadly, many Macys stores, including the original Kaufmanns flagship store, have since closed. Woolworth Co., and adding Foot Locker, Stylco, and Susie Casuals. In 2001, the once-popular fashion brand filed for bankruptcy. The California-based teen store originally known as Miller's Outpost closed its 117 stores in 2011 after struggling to keep up with competitors like American Eagle and PacSun. The chain grew quickly, and by 1905, Woolworth invited rival retailer chains (two were owned by his relatives!) The name Gunne Sax originated from the burlap trim often used in some of their earlier designs, also known as gunny sack. A seasonal and unprofitable business model may have caused the airline to start faltering. The store became known for its upscale goods and eventually opened in key locations such as Miami Beach and Boston. With a name change and cool commercials that featured a catchy slogan (Excuse me, are those Bugle Boy jeans that youre wearing?), Bugle Boy found its footing in the mens fashion industry. Their answer was to create a Marshalls clone, TJ Maxx, in 1977. Sears ChairmanEddie Lampert is trying to save the corporation as its fate hangs in the balance. The chain included only 25 stores at its peak, but the fact that the company thrived for more than a century and a half is impressive, by anyones standards. These businesses will join a list of once-prominent brands that, for. $699$11.99. Can you think of any stores you used to shop at that are no longer around? While some brands were able to successfully fend off the. Born in Southbridge in 1958, many locals remember shopping at Ames for cheap clothing, footwear, jewelry, toys and housewares. Henri Bendel's flagship location was responsible for many Fifth Avenue retail firsts, like having a fashion show and a semi-annual sale. was a juniors and womens clothing line founded in Los Angeles in 1961. There are tons of stores that everyone shopped at in the 1970s that have since gone out of business. While some merged with other companies, a handful have attempted to reinvent themselves in the era of online e-commerce. If your organization is interested in becoming a Stacker Porters menswear collection drew approval from Pink Floyd and Elton John and featured embroidered jackets and bold shirts. Related:13 All-But-Forgotten Company Towns Around the Country. Stacker believes in making the worlds data more accessible through Founded in France in 1854, the brand is one of the oldest in fashion history. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. In time, the family opened stores in Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and New York City. is known for inspiring the Bohemian look of the '60s and '70s and bringing it to catwalks in London. In 1994, Kinney Shoes celebrated 100 years in business. The five-and-dime opened in 1879 in Utica, New York, and eventually grew into an empire that spanned 21 states and even reached to Canada, Great Britain, and Germany. After a failed deal with Penske Automotive Group, General Motors made the decision to cease operations at Saturn. When the company was approached in the 1990s by a small startup called Netflix offering DVDs by mail, Blockbuster laughed at the offer to partner for $50 million. In its later years, though, Woolworth's struggled to stay relevant as shopping malls and other chain stores grew in popularity. As Netflix soared, Blockbuster would file for bankruptcy in 2010 and close its remaining video rental stores in 2013. Businesses that succeed share common threads: the product or service being offered fulfills a need, the business owner genuinely enjoys the business, and the company hires those who understand the ins and outs of finance. Louis Vuitton is world famous for their handbags, leather goods, watches, and sunglasses, and also offers a full line of ready to wear garments. Founded in 1959, the West Coast sporting store Sport Chalet closed in April 2016, just one month after rival Sports Authority filed bankruptcy. "You'll love it at Levitz" was the promise promoted by Levitz Furniture, which began in 1910 and gained popularity in the '60s with its warehouse furniture showroom concept. Throughout the 40s and 50s they produced classic, high-quality designs for the fashionable woman of the time, focusing on suits and coats. A last-ditch attempt at deemphasizing fashion was made to save the company, but to no avail. It had tens of millions of subscribers at its peak, with Google offering to purchase the website at one point. Competition, a challenging economy, and a teen customer base whose tastes had changedwere just a few reasons given for the closure of more than 500 mall-based Merry-Go-Round apparel stores in the mid-1990s. Copyright 2023. In February 2008, liquidators bought and sold more than $75 million of Wickes inventory. Foto: Mike Mozart/Flickr The brand brought a bit of fashion sense to denim, creating designer denim with Sassons French cut style and embroidered designs on the back pockets of jeans. By the early '80s, there were just over 200 locations of KB Toys, and in 2003, stores numbered 1,300. It was also perfect for anyone in the '90s who wanted to pretend like they owned a boat. Ames finally shut down its last storefront in 2002 after going bankrupt, sadly becoming one of a long list of well-known stores that have closed in the last 30 years. The popular '90s brand, known for its whimsical clothing and equally playful catalogs, officially closed its doors in 2014 after several consecutive years of waning sales. You may also like: How farming has changed in every state the last 100 years. The company, like many, did not pivot to online sales as fast as its competitors; between 2001 and 2008, it had even linked to Amazon instead of establishing its own online business. By 1996, the iconic triple-bar "E" was familiar in 44 countries and Esprit ranked No. The original store was opened by Potter Palmer in Chicago in 1852 and grew into a chain centered in the Midwest. In the '70s, Zayre tried to buy Marshalls but failed. Bugle Boy filed for bankruptcy in 2001. was around for 123 years and originally sold hat boxes and bags. In January 2017, American Apparel announced it would close all 110 of its stores around the nation, laying off 2,400 Southern California employees in the process. Shop our collection of 70s fashion including 70s dresses and disco outfits. But during that period it was a hugely popular computer company and a leading supplier of PCs throughout . The electrical chain, founded in Southend, Essex, in 1937, closed in 2006. Started by Mervin G. Morris in 1949 in San Lorenzo, California, the company grew to almost 200 stores, mostly in the West. The company offered drive-through next-day service, but when one-hour photo development became available in the 1990s, Fotomat fell out of favor. Old mall stores that don't exist anymore: Adams Row clothing (1970) The Young Individualist clothing store (1972) . People were still rocking Jordaches well into the '90s. In 1998, after 104 years, the Venator Group announced that it was exiting the specialty footwear business and would close all stores. Taken over by Ames in 1995, neither company had survived by 2002. When the chain acquired a rival toy store, Noodle Kidoodle, the merger resulted in bankruptcy, ending the fun for Zany Brainy. Founded in 1927, Pan American World Airways once dominated the airline business, especially international travel. Unable to find a buyer after filing for bankruptcy, the company would see the rest of its 900+ outlets closed by midyear. The collection was curated using sources that include Smithsonian Magazine, Vogue, and the New York Times. To that end, most Stacker stories are freely available to But in 2008 the brand began closing its stores after 59 years, due to a variety of factors. Once fashion trends and consumer tastes changed, Gadzooks filed for bankruptcy. Nautica brand clothing was perfect for anyone in the '90s who owned a boat. Apparently, the world wasn't ready for Orbitz' gelatinous blobs floating around inside what some called a liquid reminiscent of cough syrup. Do you remember checking it out at the mall and seeing what new gadgets they had? They also owned additional brands including Circuit West, Cafe Crowd, L.A. Station, Pipe Line, Tail Feathers, and Union Jack. One of her most iconic designs remains the aghabani shirtdress, also referred to as the gypsy dress. By 1999, Ask Jeeves was handling 1 million searches every day, and when the company went public, shares skyrocketed from $14 a share to $190.50. Low-cost, affordable consumer cameras were no match for the high-end professional models Minolta used to carry, and the brand eventually felt the effects where it countedthe bottom line. Cachs late 90s and early 00s styles are right on trend with the current, was founded in San Francisco in 1934. Related:8 Products Guaranteed to Last a Lifetime. The company was founded in 1983 by David Chu, a Taiwanese immigrant who moved with his family to the US in the 1960s. The Esprit brand was born in 1968, emerged in the 1970s, and by the 1980s was a cultural phenomenon known across the world. His wife took over the magazine after his death in 1884, and the magazine slowly transitioned from dress patterns toward more general content. Sales dropped when innovation fell by the wayside, and in 2000, GM announced that the 2004 Oldsmobile models would be the company's last. By 2019, all 23 storesincluding the iconic flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York Cityclosed down along with its website, effectively ending the brands reign. When Orbitz debuted in 1997, it was promoted as a "texturally enhanced alternative beverage." One particular appliqued sun dress was responsible for $2 million alone. Founded in 1977 as Buckaroo International, the company had a bit of a hard time getting off the ground. The rise of digital music and download sites like iTunes delivered the final blow, and the company filed for bankruptcy in 2006. Yet by the '90s, the chain was suffering and filed for bankruptcy in 2002. Aloha and Hawaiian Airlines made three attempts at a merger, all of them failing. Ruehl quickly became known for its incredibly dark stores and blaring music that emulated "a plushy nightclub," before it shut down permanently in January 2010 as a result of poor sales. The company had more than 160 stores, as far away as Hawaii and Guam, by 1998. Ransom E. Olds founded his car company in 1897, and in 1901 the first Oldsmobile debuted: the Curved Dash Oldsmobile. Dish acquired the company in 2011, and by 2013 the last remaining corporate-owned stores had closed. RELATED: 11 Grocery Shopping Mistakes That Are Wrecking Your Diet. In its heyday, the store had almost 400 stores in 11 western states. At this time they had not turned a profit since 2011. In 2005, Movie Gallery purchased Hollywood Video and continued its growth, but in the early '00s, Walmart began selling cheap videos, Netflix showed up with monthly movie rental subscriptions, and Redbox offered movies for $1 a day. . styles of the times, such as tighter, full skirted dresses in taffeta or satin. . In doing so, youre agreeing to the below guidelines. McClinctock popularized the brand's signature romantic prairie, Victorianand renaissanceinspired designs throughout the 70's. The company expanded across the country and worldwide, but in the process it accumulated excessive debt. In 1963, the company was sold to Woolworth (we already know what happened to them). Bargain hunters searching for a deal at a Woolworth's five-and-dime store in 1954. Women's retailer Deb Shops officially closed in 2015 after filing for bankruptcy the previous year, though in the years since it has revitalized itself as an online- and catalog-only brand. The California-based teen store originally known as Miller's Outpost closed its 117 stores in 2011 after struggling to keep up with competitors like American Eagle and PacSun. Related:The Cheapest Gifts from the Fanciest Home Brands. Roy Rogers. In 1879, F.W. They expanded aggressively, and the corporate name was changed to Kmart in 1977. Those born in the '50s and '60s will feel like they're traveling back in time. In 1979, Guez told The Washington Post, A lot of people thought these were Vidal Sassoons jeans, they rushed in and bought them and other designers jumped in, giving us greater credibility. For decades, Oldsmobile had a loyal following; the Oldsmobile Cutlass was the best-selling car in America in the 1980s. The most influential fashion brands and designers stand the test of time, having occupied distinctive places in fashion history. 52 Iconic Stores You Grew up With That Are No Longer in Business, 'NCIS' Fans, Mark Harmon Made a Huge Career Move, five-and-dimes because everything sold for 10 cents or less, 10 Things You Should Never, Ever Pass Up at Antique Shops, Your Old Christmas Cards Might Be Worth Serious Money, 11 Grocery Shopping Mistakes That Are Wrecking Your Diet, 18 Shoes From the '90s You Forgot You Were Obsessed With, Kaufmanns was founded in Pittsburgh in 1871, the store helped bring the Beatles to town for a concert, the collapse the then-second-biggest in U.S. history, the company soon began selling off stores, 10 Secrets to Shopping at HomeGoods You Need to Know. Luxury retailer Henri Bendel was around for 123 years and originally sold hat boxes and bags. General Mills wasn't savvy in the frozen foods space. Known as Gimbels, the first store was founded in 1842 by Adam Gimbel in Indiana. Shoulder Pads in Clothing. RELATED: 38 Odd Jobs That No Longer Exist. Sears was once America's top-selling retailer, famous for its now-defunct catalog, but in recent years it has struggled to stay afloat. It was Arnold Schwarzenegger who pestered AM General to produce a civilian version of the military vehicle in 1992 called a Hummer, and the vehicles were popular with celebrities and those craving attention. Over the years, however, video on demand, cheap, convenient Redbox rentals at grocery stores, and the rise of Netflix pushed Blockbuster into oblivion. It started in 1922 and was originally just a candy store. You may also like: 25 oldest colleges in America. How farming has changed in every state the last 100 years, Dangerous jobs from throughout human history, Most common jobs in America 100 years ago, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1. A 25-hour auction drove up the price of the companys remaining assets, raising $18 million for creditors. as well as image rights, data visualizations, forward planning tools, was founded in 1976 in Miami, known for producing formalwear aimed at a youthful audience. Bendel was only a small part of L Brands retail portfolio, and they cited sluggish sales as the reason for shuddering the long-standing brand. Sharper Image first started as a catalog company to sell jogging watches, but later included those electronicgadgets, massage chairs, and other futuristic goodies. But within a decade, they figured out a womens specialty store was the way to go. Contempo Casuals began with one retail store in Granada Hills, California, in the 1960s, offering hip and trendy fashions for teens. The company was sold in the 90s and closed by 2000. Wonder Woman TV star Lynda Carter modeled in print ads in the late 70s. Throughout the 40s and 50s they produced classic, high-quality designs for the fashionable woman of the time, focusing on. It might have become associated. . 20 of JLRphotography . Sadly, the company was eventually purchased (by the company that also owned Kohl's), and the doors closed for good in 1986. Apparently, the fruit bars were, indeed, too ugly. In January 2017, American Apparel announced it would close all 110 of its stores around the nation, laying off 2,400 Southern California employees in the process. Louis Vuitton is one of the world's most iconic luxury brands, with an estimated value of close to $30 billion USD. The company purchased other chains over the years, including Footlocker, though Woolworth variety stores closed in 1997. The company was initially surprised at the colorful ketchups' success, but by 2006, kids lost interest and the line was discontinued. your CMS. Zune, Microsoft's version of the iPod, seemed destined to fail before it even took off, according to company sources. Eight months after a 19-year old pointed a Lazer Tag gun at a police officer and was fatally shot, the company filed for bankruptcy. Henri Bendel sold handbags, jewelry, sunglasses, and other accessories. Compared with other brands, Compaq was short-lived, lasting only from 1982 to 2002. In the mid-'80s, its parent company started phasing out its footware factories and the last Thom McAn closed in 1996. In the 80s, their styles pivoted more towards popular prom dress styles of the times, such as tighter, full skirted dresses in taffeta or satin. However, the company's rapid expansion throughout the 1970s and 1980s ended up backfiring. By the 1990s, the stores were floundering and filed bankruptcy. Though Delia's has since relaunched an e-commerce site with the help of collaborations from trendy designers like Dolls Kill it will never quite be the same. The 1950, she designed made it to a collection held at the Smithsonians National Museum of American History, and the designer created a pair of signature. Cachs late 90s and early 00s styles are right on trend with the current Y2K revival. McClintock worked until her retirement in 2013 at the age of 83 and passed in 2021 at the age of 90. . Circuit City had more than 550 stores at one point. Whatever the reason, we really wish we could go to some of these places again! Plunging necklines, hourglass-shaped garments, and pleats along with bold patterns became Faths fashion signature. There was no formal statement from Mars, Inc. regarding why the deliciously popular breakfast candy bar Kudos disappeared from retail shelves. In 2015 the retailer filed for bankruptcy and began to close their remaining 150 store locations. This is a list of defunct (Mainly American) consumer brands which are no longer made and usually no longer mass-marketed to consumers. Stiff competition from a growing list of women's magazines ultimately led to the shuttering of the highly regarded women's publication McCall's in the 1990s. With some 700 stores in 20 states, Ames was once the fourth-largest discount department store in the United States. 7 /10. If you have the money to hire a handyman for every household woe, go ahead. Also reportedly worth in the region of $3,000 is this Roy Rogers soda pop can, though to date . Woolworth, which opened in 1879 in Utica, New York, was one of the original discount stores, also known as five-and-dime stores at that time. Dixons remained as an online brand, but later . Although no longer produced, Gunne Sax items remain one of the most coveted in the vintage community. No matter the length of the brands life or the fact that they now cease to exist, they meant something to those who wore themfrom the celebrities who donned couture for awards shows and galas to those of us who still keep them hung in our closets to be worn for work or play. Soon Nokia will be no more. Gimbels was a department store that basically sold everything. You may also like: Cost of gas the year you started driving. At a time when many readers were switching to e-books, Borders focused on growing its CD and DVD department. However, when the dot-com bubble burst in 2001, the company lost $435 million, shares dropped to 86 cents in 2002, and the site was purchased and turned into Ask.com in 2005. questions are about? republish under a Creative Commons License, and we encourage you to Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. A pioneer of the American Look, McCardells designs featured slim dirndl skirts, ballerina leotards, and stretchable, forgiving, and affordable fabrics like denim and wool jersey. By 1931, Plymouth took third place among all cars and would remain a top-selling brand for decades, but it began losing its identity in the late '70s when model features and pricing overlapped with other car brands. Though Delia's has since relaunched an e-commerce site - with the help of collaborations from trendy designers like Dolls Kill - it will never quite be the same. Blame it on businesses that couldn't adapt to changing tastes or the convenience of shopping in your PJs. By 1930, the company operated more than 15,000 grocery stores and was the largest chain in the U.S. The versatile popover dress was invented by McCardell in 1942, and the bias-cut dresses she created included practical features like side pockets and adjustable waistlines. Dit moet je weten over de beurscijfers vandaag: DSM voelt prijsdruk bij vitamines, Nederlandse industrie ziet verdere terugval orders in april, werkgelegenheid blijft redelijk op peil, Appartement en monumentaal pand krijgen uitzondering voor verplichting hybride warmtepomp, die vanaf 2026 moet ingaan. . By 1929, there were 2,250 stores. Famous for its orange roof, consistent menu, and reasonable prices, Howard Johnsons restaurants were a pit-stop staple for families on road trips through much of the 20th century. Founded in 1949, midrange department store Mervyn's had 266stores in 14 states by 2004. In January 2011, the CEO resigned, and in March, the company was sued for alleged illegal agreements with other companies.