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May 20, 2025

Mastering the Subscription Model: A Strategic Guide for Emerging CPG Brands

Securing customer loyalty is paramount for emerging CPG brands looking to scale. Subscription models have emerged as a powerful strategy to achieve this, offering brands a pathway to consistent revenue streams and deeper customer relationships. However, transitioning to a subscription-based model requires careful planning and financial support. At Assembled Brands, we specialize in flexible growth lines of credit tailored to the unique needs of high-growth CPG brands. Our financing solutions empower brands to innovate and scale without compromising operational efficiency or ownership.

Why Subscriptions? Why Now?

The shift towards subscription models in CPG isn't just a trend, it's a strategic move backed by compelling data. Brands that implement subscription offerings often see significant improvements in customer lifetime value (LTV). For instance, a study by Bain & Company found that increasing customer retention rates by just 5% can lead to a 25% to 95% increase in profits, depending on the industry. This increase is attributed to enhanced customer retention, more predictable revenue, and the opportunity for upselling and cross-selling.

Is a Subscription Model Right for Your Brand?

Before diving into a subscription model, assess whether it's a good fit for your business:

  • Product Suitability: Does your product lend itself to regular use and repurchase?
  • Customer Demand: Is there a clear need or desire among your customers for a subscription option?
  • Operational Capacity: Can your supply chain and fulfillment processes handle recurring orders efficiently?

If you answer "yes" to these questions, a subscription model could be a valuable addition to your business strategy.

Building a Subscription Offering: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Select the Right Products
Choose products that are consumable or have a high repurchase rate. This ensures that customers will need and want to reorder regularly.

2. Design Flexible Subscription Plans
Offer various subscription options—monthly, quarterly, or custom intervals—to cater to different customer preferences.

3. Implement a Seamless User Experience
Ensure that subscribing, managing, and canceling subscriptions is straightforward and user-friendly.

4. Leverage Technology
Utilize subscription management platforms that integrate with your existing e-commerce setup to automate billing, renewals, and customer communications.

5. Monitor and Optimize
Regularly analyze subscription metrics such as churn rate, average order value, and customer acquisition cost to refine your offerings.

The Financial Edge: How Assembled Brands Supports Your Subscription Strategy

Launching and maintaining a subscription model involves upfront investments in inventory, technology, and marketing. Assembled Brands offers flexible credit lines that align with your business's cash flow and growth trajectory. Our financing solutions are designed to support:

  • Inventory: Purchase the necessary stock to fulfill recurring orders.
  • Tech Integration: Implement subscription management systems without straining your budget.
  • Marketing Initiatives: Promote your subscription offers to attract and retain customers. 

With Assembled Brands as your financial partner, you can scale your subscription model confidently and sustainably.

Real-World Success: A Case Study

Consider a high-growth wellness brand that partnered with Assembled Brands to launch a subscription service. By leveraging our flexible credit lines, the brand was able to:

  • Secure inventory to meet anticipated demand.
  • Implement a subscription management platform seamlessly.
  • Execute targeted marketing campaigns to drive sign-ups.

As a result, the brand experienced a 40% increase in customer retention and a 30% boost in average order value (AOV) within the first six months of launching the subscription service.

Conclusion

Adopting a subscription model can significantly enhance your brand's value proposition, providing steady revenue and fostering deeper customer loyalty. With the right strategy and financial support, your brand can thrive in the subscription economy.

At Assembled Brands, we're committed to helping emerging CPG brands scale and innovate. Our flexible credit lines are tailored to meet your unique needs, enabling you to invest in growth opportunities without compromising financial stability.

Curious how tailored, flexible funding can help your business scale smarter? Apply now with Assembled Brands to explore the right capital solution for your next stage of growth.