Gifting and self-gifting are key drivers for growth in subscription box economy
A new report commissioned by Royal Mail reveals that gifting is responsible for over a quarter of spending on subscription box products, equating to £160 million. A further £423 million is spent on self-gifting subscription boxes. The gifting market is a key avenue for subscription businesses, including shoppers who gift to their friends and family as well as the growing trend for self-gifting.
A spokesperson from Royal Mail said “Gifting and self-gifting are key drivers for growth in the subscription box economy. The gifting market is important for subscription businesses, especially at this festive time of year, including gifting to others and the growing trend for self-gifting. By including a ‘surprise and delight’ element to a subscription box service, businesses can tap into consumer demand in this space.”
The report revealed that while 90 % of subscription shoppers bought for themselves, almost a third
(32 %) bought as gifts on behalf of somebody else, with 45 % of 18-24 year olds buying into such boxes as a gift. With the rise of online retail driving a decline in demand in some traditional gifting categories, subscription boxes – particularly those that deliver interesting products that the recipient potentially hasn’t tried before – are helping to partially fill the void.
Food and drink is the most popular gifting category with UK consumers spending £83 million on gifting such boxes. Food and drink is also a popular self-gifting category with UK subscribers spending £208 million on themselves. When it comes to health and beauty, £15 million is spent on gifting compared to £28 million on self-gifting such boxes. £4.5 million is spent on gifting entertainment and books subscription boxes, compared to £8 million on self-gifting.
In addition 42 % of those who signed up for themselves did so as a treat, reflecting the importance of both gifting and self-gifting in this market. Subscription brands have encouraged this trend with a focus on the element of surprise, as well as innovative and unique products.
When it comes to purchasing on behalf of somebody else, refer and recommendation is key for discovery, with 54 % purchasing after being recommended by someone, and 44 % after reading good reviews. The growing influence of subscription boxes as gifts is reflected by the 36 % who felt their purchase was a thoughtful gift to buy someone. For gift recipients, their feedback was that it was good to try something new (32 %), they appreciated the gift (29 %) and liked the subscription model (27 %).
This is the fourth instalment of Royal Mail’s subscription box series, with a full report set to launch in the coming months.
