About SubX - The Subscriptions Economy in Retail and eCommerce
A structured introduction to the people, purposes and processes in the emerging "subscription economy" in multichannel retail. Series 1 co-incides with the launch of SubXWorld.com in 2023 that uncovered the next-level innovation and growth strategies in D2C subscriptions.
Marie Goddard, Director, Customer Experience and Loyalty Marketing at the FT brings her publishing experience to the booth, while Shane Mc Hugh, Enterprise Account Executive at Chargebee, explains what subscription retailers can learn from the banking industry.
Discussion points in this episode:
Why a cancelled subscription isn’t always the end
How giving readers, or subscribers, choices that work for them can help build and maintain engagement
Is subscription even the best word for these services? Could Membership strike the right tone?
16 Jul 2025
Babbel: Every user is an individual
Ammar Ahmed Qureshi, Director of Revenue CRM at Babbel, and Madhuri Narayana K, Director - Customer Success & Consulting at Chargebee, bring a wealth of experience to the booth. This episode not only covers Ammar’s current role at language-learning subscription Babbel, but also allows him to bring extensive knowledge from the telecommunications industry with key lessons to pass onto any subscription firm.
Discussion points in this episode:
What subscriptions businesses can learn from telecom
Why AI is the end of customer cohorts
Why traditional CRM strategies no longer meet the needs of subscription businesses
How to future-proof a subscription business?
1 Jul 2025
Bella & Duke: Building a £50mn subscription
Mark Scott, co-founder of Bella & Duke, discusses with Shakti Bharath and Katie Searles building a successful subscription business around pet wellness and raw food, achieving profitability and significant revenue growth in this interview.
18 Jun 2025
Kingfisher: why retailers don’t need to reinvent the wheel with AI
Mohsen Ghasempour, Group AI Director at Kingfisher, explains to Rabie Laib and Katie Searles how retailers leverage existing AI systems to enhance consumer tools, like Hello Casto, and navigate omnichannel operations in this interview.
20 Jun 2024
SubscriptionX 2024 - The Original Fit Factory
Michael returns to the booth to cover collaboration and partnerships with Richard Sale CEO, Digital Fitness Division at The Original Fit Factory, previously of Peloton.
Discussion points in this episode:
How partnerships can be beneficial in reaching new customer bases, as well as helping with growing marketing costs
Why there needs to be a recognisable connection between collaborative companies
Ways to avoid diluting your brand message
How the fitness industry can deal with churn
Behind the microphones:
Richard Sale CEO, Digital Fitness Division at The Original Fit Factory:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-sale-3ba49a37/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-sale-3ba49a37/)
Michael Smink, Strategic Growth Lead EMEA, Chargebee:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-smink/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-smink/)
Katie Searles, Editor, InternetRetailing and DeliveryX:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-searles-522451132/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-searles-522451132/)
(00:00) - Tempo: 120.0
13 Jun 2024
SubscriptionX 2024 - Specsavers
Kris Jacobs, Subscriptions Product Owner UK and Ireland, Specsavers, visits the booth for an honest discussion with Katie and Sam on replatforming and having the right technology – or technology partner.
Discussion points in this episode:
Specsavers 20-years of experience in the subscription space
Working in partnership to build software that works for your team and customers
The challenges of replatforming
How to continually move forward, and what is next for Specsavers’ Easycare service
Behind the microphones:
Kris Jacobs, Subscriptions Product Owner UK and Ireland, Specsavers:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristian-jacobs-aa5aa419 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristian-jacobs-aa5aa419)
Sam Quirke, Enterprise Account Executive at Chargebee:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-quirke/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-quirke/)
Katie Searles, Editor, InternetRetailing and DeliveryX:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-searles-522451132/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-searles-522451132/)
(00:00) - Tempo: 120.0
4 Jun 2024
SubscriptionX 2024 - The Intelligent Brief
Katie and Sjoerd speak to James Hirst, Founder & Director, The Intelligent Brief, about its focus on using ML and AI to streamline and enhance the early stages of creative brainstorming and planning to increase efficiency in the creative process.
Discussion points in this episode:
The potential AI has to make running a subscription business more efficient
Why now is the right time for retailers, of all sizes, to be thinking about AI
Why a re-education is needed
Where should retailers and subscription companies be using caution around these advancements
Behind the microphones:
James Hirst, Founder & Director, The Intelligent Brief:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesahirst (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesahirst)
Sjoerd Feenstra, Enterprise Account Executive at Chargebee:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjoerd-feenstra/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjoerd-feenstra/)
Katie Searles, Editor, InternetRetailing and DeliveryX:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-searles-522451132/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-searles-522451132/)
(00:00) - Tempo: 120.0
28 May 2024
SubscriptionX 2024 - JOMO Club
Gemma Mills, CEO & founder of JOMO Club - a D2C membership featuring artisan alcoholic drink alternatives designed to promote the ‘Joy Of Missing Out’ - joins Katie and Hessell to discuss the inspiration behind her subscription business.
Discussion points in this episode:
How entrepreneurial spirit helps when launching a new subscription
Why events, and different seasons, are a key consideration when scaling a business
How to build a club or community of shoppers
What lessons can be learnt along the way
Behind the microphones:
Gemma Mills, CEO & founder of JOMO Club:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmamills1 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmamills1)
Hessel Mulder, Enterprise Account Executive at Chargebee
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hessel-mulder (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hessel-mulder)
Katie Searles, Editor, InternetRetailing and DeliveryX:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-searles-522451132/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-searles-522451132/)
(00:00) - Tempo: 120.0
20 May 2024
SubscriptionX 2024 - Victorinox
Desi Reuben-Sealey, Senior Manager UX, Victorinox (Swiss Army Knife) joins Katie and Michael in the booth for a look at the importance of user experience - whether that is in a physical store; a direct-to-consumer offering or a subscription service.
Discussion points in this episode:
How can retailers ensure high quality user experience across multiple touch points
Why excellent and on-going customer service is key to a legacy brand
The part brick and mortar stores have to play
Desi’s taste in watches
Behind the microphones:
Desi Reuben-Sealey, Senior Manager UX, Victorinox:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/desireubensealey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/desireubensealey)
Michael Smink, Strategic Growth Lead EMEA, Chargebee:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-smink/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-smink/)
Katie Searles, Editor, InternetRetailing and DeliveryX:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-searles-522451132/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-searles-522451132/)
(00:00) - Tempo: 120.0
20 Jun 2023
SubX Subscription Economy Podcast - Physical Retail and Refillables with Wild and Origin Coffee
In this episode we will hear from natural deodorant company Wild who aim to transform the bathroom with a range of refillable products. Origin Coffee are also back to describe how physical stores (or coffee shops) can play their part in this refillable revolution.
20 Jun 2023
SubX Subscription Economy Podcast - Rental Market with The Bike Club
A dress for a special occasion, a designer handbag, even curated wardrobes - this episode will look at how retailers are renting their fashion out. But it is not simply apparel that is rentable, we are joined in the studio by The Bike Club’s founder James Symes.
20 Jun 2023
SubX Subscription Economy Podcast - Product Subscription with The Cheese Geek and Origin Coffee
Covering home delivery subscriptions ranging from wonky veg to toilet paper; dog food to craft gin; and the various meal kits, as well as scheduled consumables. Internet Retailing’s Katie Searles and Avalara’s Louis Fitzpatrick hear from The Cheese Geek and Origin Coffee as they stress the importance of technology and understanding your customer for product subscription success
20 Jun 2023
SubX Subscription Economy Podcast - LIVE at SubX World
Recorded on site at the inaugural SubX World conference held in London this May. Avalara’s Sacha Wilson, SMOL’s Neil Campbell and Chargebee’s Tarmo van der Goot launch this brand new look at the subscription economy.
DeliveryX editor Katie Searles asks the SubX World speakers and sponsors their experiences in this fast evolving market.
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