Survey: Ownership may be on decline with consumers
The results of a new international consumer survey should give hope to subscription-based retailers.
According to a survey of about 13,500 adults across 12 countries conducted on behalf of subscription management platform Zuora by The Harris Poll, subscription services are experiencing growth on a global scale. Results indicate 71% of respondents have subscription services, up from 53% who had them five years ago. Roughly one-quarter of international adults (26%) report they have three or more subscriptions, compared to 14% who had three or more five years ago.
Other notable findings include:
• 74% of respondents believe that in the future, people will subscribe to more services and own less physical goods.
• 34% of respondents believe that they will be taking advantage of more subscription services two years from now.
• 68% of respondents believe that a person’s status is no longer defined by what they own.
• 70% of respondents agree that subscribing to products and services frees people from the burden of ownership (e.g., maintenance, clutter, declining value).
• 57% of respondents say they wish they could own less “stuff.”
Zuora research shows that in the past seven years, companies across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific have seen their subscription-based sales grow by more than 300%, representing an 18% compound annual growth rate.
Findings of this study contradict the results of a recent survey from YouGov that suggest subscription boxes have yet to catch on, at least in the U.S. YouGov data shows that 80%-85% of U.S. adult consumers have never subscribed to a service any of four major product categories, and only 33% are very or somewhat likely to subscribe to a service.
According to a survey of about 13,500 adults across 12 countries conducted on behalf of subscription management platform Zuora by The Harris Poll, subscription services are experiencing growth on a global scale. Results indicate 71% of respondents have subscription services, up from 53% who had them five years ago. Roughly one-quarter of international adults (26%) report they have three or more subscriptions, compared to 14% who had three or more five years ago.
Other notable findings include:
• 74% of respondents believe that in the future, people will subscribe to more services and own less physical goods.
• 34% of respondents believe that they will be taking advantage of more subscription services two years from now.
• 68% of respondents believe that a person’s status is no longer defined by what they own.
• 70% of respondents agree that subscribing to products and services frees people from the burden of ownership (e.g., maintenance, clutter, declining value).
• 57% of respondents say they wish they could own less “stuff.”
Zuora research shows that in the past seven years, companies across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific have seen their subscription-based sales grow by more than 300%, representing an 18% compound annual growth rate.
Findings of this study contradict the results of a recent survey from YouGov that suggest subscription boxes have yet to catch on, at least in the U.S. YouGov data shows that 80%-85% of U.S. adult consumers have never subscribed to a service any of four major product categories, and only 33% are very or somewhat likely to subscribe to a service.