In this clear and informed guide to the business model that’s set to dominate twenty-first-century commerce, Adam Levinter makes a compelling case that the phenomenal success of companies like Amazon, Netflix, Spotify, and Salesforce wouldn’t be possible without the foundation they all have in common: subscription. A surge of subscription boxes in 2012 earned buzz for offering everything from razors to meal kits to underwear; since then the model has proven to be adaptable, profitable, and resilient, even as many traditional retailers struggle to stay relevant in the digital economy.

Levinter takes a close look at the leaders of the subscription economy to pinpoint the essential elements of the model, and prove that while the basic concept may be as old as magazines, the ubiquity of the internet is enabling a new way for businesses to scale and succeed. The Subscription Boom shows that the appeal to both customers and businesses makes subscription a smart play for virtually any business.