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Riding the subscription box wave: Understanding the landscape, challenges, and critical success factors of the subscription box industry

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  • Andonova, Yana
  • Anaza, Nwamaka A.
  • Bennett, Delancy H.S.

Abstract

The subscription box e-commerce industry has experienced tremendous growth over the last 5 years. Given the growing size of the industry, this business model warrants the close attention of firms currently offering subscription services as well as companies considering entering this industry. This article presents a detailed overview of the subscription box industry and proposes a framework—the four Cs—for understanding subscription offerings. It identifies challenges and opportunities facing this industry, and it provides managers with guidance in the form of five tenets on how to navigate the subscription box economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Andonova, Yana & Anaza, Nwamaka A. & Bennett, Delancy H.S., 2021. "Riding the subscription box wave: Understanding the landscape, challenges, and critical success factors of the subscription box industry," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 64(5), pages 631-646.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bushor:v:64:y:2021:i:5:p:631-646
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2021.02.024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Dhebar, Anirudh, 2023. "Preinstalled functionality as a service," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 66(5), pages 643-653.
    2. Diogo Lima & Ricardo F. Ramos & Pedro Miguel Oliveira, 2024. "Customer satisfaction in the pet food subscription-based online services," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 745-769, June.
    3. Jiang Jiang & Chris K. Anderson, 2024. "Optimization of travel subscription use," Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 23(4), pages 283-294, August.

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