Reports
4 April 2018

Opportunities and challenges for tangible goods subscriptions

Now that we subscribe to music, are tools and toiletries next?

Here's ING's in-depth report on this little-studied side of the subscription economy

Executive summary

From music to phones to news, we're used to subscribing to services, but what's the potential for subscriptions to tangible goods? It's big, but it faces unique challenges if it's going to mimic the impressive growth of that of streaming and information services.

In this comprehensive report, we look at the current market for tangible goods in Europe and pinpoint the growth areas in terms of product, geography and demographics. We examine what is valued most by consumers, but also what puts them off. 

We suggest there are four enablers for subscriptions to tangible goods: Technical Developments, Shifting Consumer Preferences, Regulation and the Interest Rate Environment. We see that consumers look at added value and price but that many factors influence subscription costs. We examine which factors increase the chance of building a successful, durable goods subscription model. And we look at how numerous companies have adopted subscription services and what's working, or not, for them. 

Download the full report by clicking on the link above

Content Disclaimer
This publication has been prepared by ING solely for information purposes irrespective of a particular user's means, financial situation or investment objectives. The information does not constitute investment recommendation, and nor is it investment, legal or tax advice or an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any financial instrument. Read more