Unlike the past, fewer people respond to the same advertising that worked before. If you're like most, you see the cost of advertising is now too expensive. The best indicator of the American economy is based on the 49 year old person. People are actually saving for retirement earlier. This is good news for investment consultants, bad news for most other businesses.
Big business is on the increase.
Deregulation provides consumers with too many choices. In Philadelphia, you can choose from over 800 long distance providers. Even electricity generation is available from dozens of suppliers, instead of one. Nationwide mail order catalogers kill the hometown retailer. Time is our most precious asset and is becoming less available.