By now, chances are you’ve heard of subscription boxes. Subscription boxes are pre-packaged “gift” sets that come in the mail every 1-4 months, depending on your box and the frequency you choose. The subscription box model has grown significantly over the last decade and for good reason. There’s a subscription box for nearly every hobby, which is one of the best reasons why it makes such a great gift.
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Because of the inherent consistency of subscription boxes, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. It’s also a flexible gift option; instead of paying for a never ending subscription box for someone else, there are many boxes that offer “gift” options, where you can send a box to someone and allow them to continue the subscription if they choose to do so. To help you learn more about how subscription boxes work, here’s what you need to know.
Core Concept
At its core, subscription boxes were designed to help consumers learn more about brands and sample products. The concept is simple: a customer receives a box with a number of sample-size products that they can try. From here, they can purchase the products they enjoy the most at a discounted price. This is the premise behind boxes like FabFitFun. This offers customers the ability to learn more about products that they may not have tried otherwise, especially in a competitive ecommerce world where there are hundreds of similar products to choose from.
Convenience
Another important attribute of subscription boxes is the ability to conveniently access relevant products without leaving your home. For some, the convenience factor of subscription boxes is what makes them most appealing. In fact, many subscription boxes are intended to deliver recurring products to people who continuously use or need certain new products.
For example, the Dollar Shave Club will regularly send new razors—something both men and women need time and time again. On the other hand, if you’re someone who wants to learn cooking but doesn’t enjoy shopping for ingredients or sifting through thousands of recipes, you might opt for a cooking box that makes cooking a breeze.
Unique Customization
Another fun factor for subscriptions boxes is that many services allow you to personalize your boxes. For example, let’s say you want to send a gift to a busy mom who doesn’t enjoy shopping for new clothes.
Similarly, other clothing boxes aim to curate boxes based on your personal style. But customization isn’t limited to clothing boxes. Case in point: while there are many food boxes to choose from, they typically allow you to choose how to focus your meals (do you want more protein or produce) and how many people each meal would serve.
Universal Interests & Hobbies
Over time, the subscription box concept has morphed and catered to every industry and style. No matter what you’re interested in, chances are there’s a subscription box for it. There’s no interest left untouched in the world of subscription boxes. For example, SnackCrate is a subscription box that allows customers to sample snacks from around the world. If you enjoy sewing, boxes like Needle Sharp will send you high-end patterns and fabrics at the frequency of your choice.
COVID-Friendly
In today’s day and age, running around stores and shopping centers isn’t as safe as it used to be. With COVID-19 wreaking havoc on our current health climate, it’s important to consider how your shopping habits put you or others at risk. During the holiday season, this is especially critical.
With social distancing rules in full effect across the country, mail-in gifts are a safe, viable option. For starters, you eliminate the need to browse different stores. This not only saves you plenty of time, but helps you prevent catching or spreading viruses like COVID. In fact, research has shown that because of COVID-19 meal kit subscription services saw a significant rise. The reason is twofold: not only was it safer to take less trips to the grocery store, but it also provided a unique opportunity to explore more at-home hobbies like cooking.
