Negative-option subscriptions aren’t anything new: just ask any former member of Columbia House. Subscribers sign up for a service, and then receive something every month unless they specifically opt out. It’s become a popular model in fashion recently, and that includes the cosmetics subscription box from Julep, a company probably best known for its nail polishes. Today, the state of Washington announced that the company settled charges that its negative-option marketing for cosmetics boxes was deceptive. [More]
subscription boxes
Beauty Box Julep Must Donate Toiletries To Settle Lawsuit Over Shady Negative-Option Marketing
By 9.6.16
So Many “Meal Box” Options, But Are They Any Different From Each Other?
By 7.14.16
Making a nice dinner isn’t always easy: Finding the right recipe, checking your pantry, going to the store, all before you get around to finally cooking. So it’s understandable why subscription “meal boxes” are trend with a growing number of companies delivering ready-to-cook dinners to your door. Yet, many of the plans seem to be going after the same customer with the same types of food. [More]
Julep Subscribers Mad After Receiving Almost-Expired Sunscreen Lipstick; Will Get Refunds
By 7.8.16
Sun-loving subscribers to the Julep beauty products service were psyched to see they could get lipstick with SPF 30 sunscreen protection. That is, until they opened their orders and found that the sunscreen would only be effective for a few more weeks. [More]
Birchbox Subscribers Are Upset About Changes To Review Points Program
By 6.15.16
The appeal of the subscription box Birchbox isn’t just getting a box full of personal-care goodies in the mail every month: it’s also reviewing the samples that you receive to earn points toward buying full-size versions of those goodies. Now a change to that system is proving very controversial, and some customers want to quit the service because of it. [More]
Popularity Of Subscription Boxes Means Rethinking How E-Commerce Logistics Work
By 5.17.16
Subscription boxes are a hot retail category, but the business has a problem, especially when it comes to beauty product boxes. While other companies in e-commerce are super-focused on efficiency and logistics, boxes that change their inventory every month and often let users add on to or customize their selections are a logistical nightmare and often have to be hand-packed. [More]
NatureBox Expands From Podcast Ads To Store Shelves At Target
By 4.26.16
NatureBox, a subscription box offering curated selections of healthy(ish) snacks, is a company that you may not be familiar with…unless you’re a fan of podcasts, in which case you’re probably tired of hearing about NatureBox, since they’re a frequent advertiser in that medium. Now the company is reaching out to the rest of the population in a partnership with Target, putting its snacks on store shelves. [More]
Would You Pay $600 A Year For Adidas Workout Gear?
By 2.19.16
Because sometimes shoppers don’t feel like making decisions or leaving home, subscription box services have become a popular way to get regular deliveries of beauty samples, personal grooming products, and clothing. Jumping on the subscription box bandwagon recently is Adidas, which hopes customers will feel like forking out $600 a year for workout clothing, shoes, and other gear. [More]
The Narwhal Bacon Box Is Not Clear On The Concept Of ‘Monthly’ Subscription Boxes
By 10.1.15
The appeal of monthly subscription boxes is that, um, you get a subscription box. Monthly. That’s why customers are so disappointed in the Narwhal Bacon Box, which promised to be a monthly box with Reddit-themed content. It hasn’t managed to ship any boxes yet. [More]
Which Beauty Subscription Boxes Are Actually Worth The Monthly Fee?
By 4.23.15 — Updated: 5.23.17
Monthly subscription boxes are currently a hot category in retail: vendors exist that can send you curated selections of everything from pet treats to razors to healthy snacks to butt wipes. One popular subcategory of these boxes are beauty sample boxes, which send you trial-size versions of beauty products to enjoy, and perhaps buy full-sized versions later on. Beauty brands and consumers both love these boxes…but which ones offer the best value for your subscription fee? [More]
