Subscription models are driving customer loyalty in online sales of groceries and other essential goods, but fatigue among consumers threatens long-term growth.

On today's episode, in our "Retail Me This, Retail Me That" segment, we discuss why subscription ecommerce works, product categories best suited for this model, and how much subscription fatigue may be setting in. Then for "Pop-Up Rankings," we rank the top four subscription services that have staying power in the key categories of pets, beauty, food, and clothing. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts analysts Blake Droesch and Zak Stambor.

US subscription ecommerce sales will grow in 2022, but digital subscription buyer growth will slow.

Watching subscription over-the-top (sub OTT) video has become one of the most popular activities in the world, and the worldwide user numbers for sub OTT have become commensurately huge. Netflix remains a driving force in this digital transformation.

Digital video viewership continues to rise in the UK, despite already high penetration. A thirst for subscription content hasn’t quite been sated, but with a cost-of-living crisis looming, ad-supported options might garner interest among consumers.

YouTube isn’t just for the smallest screens as more viewing takes place on other connected devices and mobile use declines. Streamers are taking in more upfront ad dollars. Netflix is shaking things up after subscription drops.

Among major streaming video platforms, Peacock is the one where US subscribers are most likely to have the ad-supported version. Just 20% of Peacock subscribers shell out for the ad-free tier.

US smartphone gamers will spend $18.83 billion on virtual goods this year, a massive sum compared with the $0.78 billion they’ll spend on subscriptions. These intangible assets make up a growing industry in the gaming world, especially as more companies—from Nike to Spotify to Chipotle—enter the metaverse via games like Roblox.