“Guys… What if we had our own YOGURT??” — someone at Cosmo , apparently.
Life Savers soda
Year launched: 1980s
Why it bombed: The candy-flavored drink fared well in taste tests but tanked on the shelves. Some customers found it too sweet, while others avoided purchasing it altogether, assuming it would be akin to drinking "liquid candy."
Microsoft Zune
Year launched: 2006
Why it bombed: The Zune, developed in conjunction with Toshiba, was Microsoft's answer to the hot new iPods that Apple was pushing. But the clunky Zune failed to swipe enough market share, as the iPod took around 65%. On Oct. 3, 2011, Microsoft announced the discontinuation of all Zune hardware, encouraging users to transition to Windows Phone.
Colgate Kitchen Entrees
Year launched: 1982
Why it bombed: Colgate decided the logical way to pivot its toothpaste empire was to launch a line of frozen dinner entrees. Unfortunately, customers didn't exactly rush to get their hands on stir-fry churned out by the same people who put peppermint paste in a tube.
Apple QuickTake camera
Year launched: 1994
Why it bombed: One of the first digital cameras, Apple's QuickTake (1994–1997) was a 0.3-megapixel camera that took 640 x 480 resolution images, of which it could store eight. The camera had a built-in flash, but no focus or zoom controls. Other than downloading the photos to a computer, there was no way to preview them on the camera; it also retailed for a pretty steep $600–$750.