Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!

Costco's membership price hike is part of a trend in the subscription economy

Sep 5, 2024
Shared memberships are out, and squeezing more value out of existing members is in.
In addition to an annual fee hike, Costco is also cracking down on membership sharing.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

New FTC rule aims to simplify subscription cancellations

Sep 3, 2024
Firms that sell subscriptions can count on significant revenue boosts from consumer spaciness. It helps if customers have to jump through hoops once they realize they’re shelling out for a product they don’t need. 
The FTC rule should be finalized soon, but many firms have already gotten in the habit of offering clear disclosures and easy cancellation. 
aurence Dutton/Getty Images

Buy now, pay later platforms now offer subscriptions

Jan 29, 2024
Subscription offers are everywhere these days. But can they work when paying later is the whole point?
Dragon Claws/Getty Images

Why you might need motivational sayings to get you through canceling a subscription

Dec 22, 2023
From “be strong” to “put in the time,” you may need a few good phrases to get you through the call.
When canceling a subscription, do as this kitten does and just hang in there.
s-dmit/Getty Images

Be prepared to navigate a maze to cancel that subscription

Jun 22, 2023
Behavioral economics helps explain why it's hard to unsubscribe.
The FTC alleges that Amazon intentionally complicated the cancellation process for Prime subscription service.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The FTC seeks to make it easier to cancel subscriptions

Mar 28, 2023
The agency has proposed new rules that would require companies to make unsubscribing less onerous.
Federal Trade Commission chair Lina M. Khan. The agency is eyeing rules that would require companies to make unsubscribing from services easier.
Graeme Jennings-Pool/Getty Images

Peloton focuses on where the money is: subscriptions

Jul 12, 2022
The exercise company seeks higher margins in monthly subs as it outsources the manufacturing of its signature equipment overseas.
Peloton customers pay $40 to $50 for monthly subscriptions to get access to online workouts.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Are people ready to step out in rented clothing again?

Oct 19, 2021
Rent the Runway prepares for its IPO at a time when the logistics around delivery and consumer demand is still in flux.
Shoppers look through Rent the Runway's West Coast flagship store in San Francisco in 2019. The clothing rental business is aiming for a valuation of up to $1.5 billion.
Kelly Sullivan/Getty Images for Rent the Runway

Pay TV operators zero in on password sharing costs them billions in subscriptions

Dec 20, 2017
Company execs say free watching costs them billions of dollars in subscriptions.

Keeping traditional morning news alive, without the TV

Sep 26, 2016
TheSkimm brings the news to your inbox with its fast-growing daily newsletter.
Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin, founders of theSkimm.
theSkimm