The Subscription Boom: Why an Old Business Model is the Future of Commerce

In this clear and informed guide to the business model that’s set to dominate twenty-first-century commerce, Adam Levinter makes a compelling case that the phenomenal success of companies like Amazon, Netflix, Spotify, and Salesforce wouldn’t be possible without the foundation they all have in common: subscription. A surge of subscription boxes in 2012 earned buzz for offering everything from razors to meal kits to underwear; since then the model has proven to be adaptable, profitable, and resilient, even as many traditional retailers struggle to stay relevant in the digital economy.

Levinter takes a close look at the leaders of the subscription-based economy to pinpoint the essential elements of the model, and prove that while the basic concept may be as old as magazines, the ubiquity of the internet is enabling a new way for businesses to scale and succeed. The Subscription Boom shows that the appeal to both customers and businesses makes subscription a smart play for virtually any business.