Personally Packaged: Subscription Boxes Deliver Convenience to Customers

First things first - I'm fairly new subscription box services - partly because I'm still discovering which ones I like best/have a use for and partly because,` being a recent college graduate, money is a bit tight. That being said, I've been wanting to write about my thoughts on this unique business model and the few experiences I have had with the services I've subscribed to.

Trunk Club

My first exposure to the subscription box industry during a college trip to Chicago, where some classmates and I spent the weekend touring Chicago companies that were doing unique and creative things in marketing. One of our stops was at the Chicago offices/club house of e-commerce clothing retailer, Trunk Club. There, we explored the company's space, met with designers and employees, and learned how they were able to simplify shopping for men without their customers needing to step into a store. (At the time, Trunk Club was exclusively a subscription service for men, but according to an article published earlier this summer from TechCrunch, Trunk Club has expanded to women's clothing).

Overall, the process to get a trunk is very simple and focused on making things as easy for the customer as possible. Users sign up, fill out some information regarding their tastes and current fashion style, and then are matched with a personal stylist. Trunk Club stylists reach out to prospective customers via e-mail or telephone to get a better understanding of what the user is looking for in their trunk. The stylist then gathers items based on the users budget, style, and that stylists personal suggestions. A trunk is then shipped to the user to try on and then ship back (for free) any clothing items they weren't happy with. One of the biggest things that has impressed me about Trunk Club is unlike some competitors that charge you a flat rate, Trunk Club stylists really seem to work with their customers to make sure they're happy with the items and the trunk's costs can vary based on what customers decide to keep. Not a bad arrangement for the time-poor professional or student ... (or the fashion-challenged marketing blogger).

Courtesy of TrunkClub.com

Bud Trunk Club isn't the only player in the subscription box service game - there have been plenty of other e-commerce companies who have emerged targeting various markets and product groups. For example, Dr. Squatch Soap Co. (natural soaps for men) and Bespoke Post (various products, samples, and unique supplies for men) are two companies I have subscribed to in the past.

Dr. Squatch Soap Co.

I discovered Dr. Squatch when I first started realizing that store-bought soaps dried out my skin. During my research, I connected with the founders' story of dedication to transparent business practices and delivering natural, quality products. Dr. Squatch offers their male shoppers to select a variety of masculine scents - containing earthy notes of either cedar, pine, spearmint, and eucalyptus. First time shoppers can pay by demand by purchasing individual bars or receive monthly soap on a subscription basis.

Courtesy of DrSquatch.com

Bespoke Post

Unlike TrunkClub and Dr. Squatch, which focus on a certain product offering, Bespoke Post is unique in that it truly is, like its hash tag suggests, a "#BoxofAwesome". The best way I can describe this subscription service, is for about $50, you are delivered a box of goods tailored towards decking out your desk with trendy storage accessories, shaving and skin products, and various kits. In my opinion, Bespoke Post is ideal for the product pioneer looking to discover new products or for someone looking to give a friend/son/boyfriend a unique gift experience.

Courtesy of BespokePost.com

Want to learn more about the different types of subscription boxes? Check out Buzzfeed's article on the top subscription box services.