New data from Barclaycard Payments on the ‘subscription economy’ sheds light on how demand for sign-up products and services is evolving following growth during the pandemic – and the impact on consumer spending as the cost of living takes its toll.

The third annual study from Barclaycard Payments – which processes £1 in every £3 spent on credit and debit cards in the UK – found two thirds (67 per cent) of Brits remain signed up to at least one digital or direct-to-door service and many see them an important tool to help manage finances (cited by 34 per cent) at time of rising costs.

While proprietary Barclaycard data shows spending on subscriptions declined 4.2 per cent in June 2022 when compared to May 2022; almost four in 10 (38 per cent) Brits believe subscriptions offer good value for money, and 37 per cent feel they help them to be more organised.

Three-fifths (59 per cent) of Brits say they are signed up to subscriptions for exclusive access to content. Meanwhile, 45 per cent believe subscriptions offer a personalised experience. Other benefits appealing to shoppers include the ability to try new items which they may not normally purchase (55 per cent), convenience (42 per cent) and reassurance that key products will be delivered regularly (42 per cent).

Flexible and convenient subscriptions

As the cost of living continues to rise, almost four in 10 (38 per cent) consumers cited good value as the most important factor when signing up for new subscriptions, followed by a free trial (32 per cent), free delivery (27 per cent) and flexible contracts (21 per cent).

Barclaycard Payments found that the average UK household spends £41.70 a month on subscription services, compared with an average of £51.65 in 2021, and £45.50 in 2020.

Despite consumers cutting back on non-essential spending, analysis of subscription categories over the last three years found that most sectors are stabilising after substantial growth during the pandemic – when restrictions meant more time was spent at home.

The business response

As consumer preferences change, the research found that subscription providers are responding to the challenges of the rising cost of living in different ways. While over half (51 per cent) of businesses offering subscriptions plan to cut prices on their products, almost as many (47 per cent) intend to increase them due to rising inflation and supplier costs. Three in five (61 per cent) plan to launch lower-cost subscription products and services to give customers more choice, and two-thirds (65 per cent) will do this in time for key retail moments, such as Black Friday.

Harshna Cayley, Head of Online Payments, Barclaycard Payments, said: “As the cost of living continues to increase, we’re seeing consumers engage with subscriptions in new and smarter ways. Our data not only shows the importance consumers continue to place on subscriptions but also highlights how the benefits of recurring payments play an important role in the management of day-to-day finances.

“Value for money, convenience and control will continue to be important factors for cost-conscious customers. This means to remain successful in the subscription economy, businesses need to focus on going beyond these current demands. Added extras, such as exclusive content, may no longer cut it, so providers need to ensure contracts and delivery models remain flexible too.”