Kevin O’Leary Says These 8 Businesses Could Be Among the Biggest Casualties of the Next Decade
Big shifts in technology and consumer spending are forcing companies across the U.S. to rethink how they operate. Kevin O’Leary narrowed that discussion to eight business categories he said could rank among the biggest losers of the next decade. His comments focused on sectors he believes face direct pressure from AI, e-commerce, remote work, and changing capital costs.
O’Leary’s warning centers on eight business categories
Kevin O’Leary said 8 types of businesses could be among the biggest casualties over the next 10 years, placing a specific number on the sectors he sees at risk. His list centered on business models tied to older operating habits, including traditional retail, legacy media, and office-dependent real estate. He framed the warning as a decade-long shift rather than a short-term downturn.
He also pointed to companies with heavy fixed costs and slow adoption of new technology. In O’Leary’s view, businesses that cannot lower labor costs, modernize sales channels, or use automation could face the steepest pressure. The scale of his argument was national, with no single company named as the main example.
What is confirmed is the scope of the warning: 8 categories, one investor, and a 10-year timeline. What is not yet known is which specific brands or chains within those categories will be hit hardest. O’Leary did not release a ranked list of individual companies in the comments described here.
The impact reaches local communities through jobs and storefronts
For local communities across the U.S., the most immediate effect would likely show up in places people see every week, including malls, office corridors, and neighborhood shopping centers. If even part of O’Leary’s 8-category warning plays out, the pressure would not stay on Wall Street. It would show up in leasing activity, hiring plans, and store counts in cities and suburbs.
Some of the categories he highlighted connect directly to local employment. Retail workers, office support staff, and workers tied to older media and service models could feel the effects first if companies reduce footprints or consolidate locations. That is especially relevant in metro areas where commercial real estate and in-person traffic still support large numbers of jobs.
What remains unconfirmed is the location-by-location impact. No comprehensive list of affected cities, states, or employers accompanied O’Leary’s comments. For now, the warning is broad, and any local fallout would depend on how individual companies adapt over the next decade.
Why O’Leary sees the next decade as a breaking point
O’Leary’s core argument is that technology is moving faster than many business models can adjust. He tied that risk to AI, automation, and digital competition, which can reduce the value of older systems built around physical locations or large staffing needs. He also pointed to capital discipline, a theme he has repeated in business commentary for years.
Another factor is the cost structure many legacy businesses still carry. Companies with high debt, expensive leases, or weak margins may have less room to respond when customer behavior changes. In that setup, even a modest decline in traffic or ad revenue can quickly turn into a larger operating problem.
For customers and residents, the practical takeaway is not a confirmed wave of closures today but a sign of where pressure may build next. Over the next 10 years, shoppers and workers may continue to see more automation, fewer legacy formats, and more businesses pushed to prove they can adapt. O’Leary’s message was straightforward: business models that do not evolve may not keep their place in the market.
