Subscription boxes, are they a waste of money?

Subscription boxes are a recurring delivery of niche products as part of a marketing strategy and a method of product distribution. They are used by e-commerce businesses, referred to as “subcom”, who apply a subscription business model. They target a wide range of customers and cater to a variety of specific needs and interests. It is estimated that there are 400 to 600 different kinds of subscription boxes in the United States alone, and more overseas. Subscriptions vary in both cost and frequency, making them more accessible to a greater range of customers with different socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Nowadays we see them everywhere, although often considered a splurge, subscription boxes can be quite the little life-savers. From delivering your shaving kit if you always forget to buy razors (Dollar Shave Club) to bringing fresh food ingredients alongside with recipes to your door (HelloFresh). Subscription boxes come in different sizes and prices but generally range anywhere between 10€ and 100€ a month. For as many subscription boxes there are, there are almost as many reasons why people buy them. They are available for every kind of product imaginable. Some boxes promise to select a smaller pool of products for you to try in the comfort of your home, and next tailor the contents to your taste. There are even boxes that deliver potted plants. But, sometimes you might wonder if you need all these things. Are they just additional garbage or essentials? 

So, are they worth it?

This depends on you, your taste, spending habits and so on. Companies spend a lot of time and money on packaging and marketing to grab your attention. In the e-commerce world, having an exceptional customer experience is very important. That is one of the reasons why people love to spend their money on all sorts of different things they don’t really need. The online era has only made it that much easier for people to flush their hard-earned money down the tubes into someone else’s wallet. I think that if a subscription box “makes sense”, and it’s not just a box filled with pointless gadgets, you might go for it. Try it. However, if you don’t remember to cancel a subscription box, with needless items, it can become an expensive “surprise”.

So in conclusion, If you like your subscription box and it’s not causing an unnecessary strain on your finances to keep your subscription boxes coming… Treat yourself! :)

Stevan Vlaski

Digital Marketer & Brand Identity Developer for Icecat based in North Macedonia.