Manpacks
| File:Manpacks Logo Small.png | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Men's essentials subscription |
| Founded | January 2010 |
| Defunct | August 2018 |
| Headquarters | Providence, Rhode Island |
Key people | Founded by Ken Johnson and Andrew Draper |
| Products | Men's underwear, undershirts, socks, hygienic items |
| Website | http://www.manpacks.com/Template:Fix/category[dead link] |
Manpacks operated as a subscription service delivering men's underwear, socks, toiletries, and other fundamental items on a quarterly basis.[1] Customers could customize their selection from a range of products including boxer briefs, undershirts, socks, shaving supplies, and condoms, with shipments arriving automatically every three months.[2] The company ceased operations and is no longer active.[3]
Foundation
The idea for Manpacks was conceived by Ken Johnson and Andrew Draper in December 2009, leading to the establishment of the company in January 2010.[4][5] Initially launched as a side project to test the concept, growing consumer interest soon transformed managing customers and fulfilling orders into a full-time endeavor.Template:Fix/category[citation needed] At its inception, the website offered only underwear and socks.[6]
Manpacks holds the distinction of being the first American subscription ecommerce platform dedicated to men's essential items.[7][8][9] Since its introduction, numerous companies have adopted and replicated Manpacks' subscription model.[10][11] Shortly after its debut, Manpacks was admitted into Betaspring's startup accelerator program.[12] At one point during its operation, the company counted over 10,000 subscribers.[13]
Description
Manpacks provided an automated delivery service for men's essential items such as socks, underwear, razors, and personal care products, shipping them every three months or according to customer preference.[14][15] Customers received a notification email reminding them of their upcoming shipment three months following their initial order.[14] The service mainly attracted individuals purchasing for men in their lives, men who dislike shopping, and those seeking convenience.[1][4]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Manjoo, Farhad (June 9, 2010). "The Man, the Mouse and the Wardrobe". The New York Times.
- ↑ Wong, Danny (July 20, 2010). "Innovations in E-Commerce: The Subscription Business Model". Huffington Post.
- ↑ "Manpacks". August 22, 2018.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Odegard, Dave. "Manpacks, For a post-sniff test America". Maxim. Archived from the original on 2012-10-28. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ↑ Vora, Shivani (October 1, 2010). "Would You Buy Underwear By Subscription?". Inc.
- ↑ Kirsner, Scott (June 10, 2010). "Netflix for undies, and more, at Monday's Web Innovators Group". The Boston Globe.
- ↑ Chiang, Ben (April 18, 2012). "Subscribe For A Full Box Of Surprise". Business Insider. Archived from the original on June 21, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
- ↑ "Innovators: 3 Unusual Ecommerce Models". PracticalEcommerce.com. August 4, 2011.
- ↑ Wilhelm, Alex (April 9, 2012). "InsideManpacks, the hot essentials subscription service for dudes". The Next Web.
- ↑ Gratt, Matt (March 28, 2012). "Thoughts on #Subcom (Subscription eCommerce)". Grattisfaction.com. Archived from the original on April 1, 2012.
- ↑ Warren, Renee (March 30, 2012). "Life of the Subscription Model". ReneeWarren.com.
- ↑ "BetaspringProfile: Manpacks". Betaspring.com.
- ↑ Mullins, Richard (April 8, 2012). "For males who avoid malls". The Tampa Tribune.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 About FAQ Archived 2011-05-25 at the Wayback Machine. Manpacks.com.
- ↑ "HowHacker News Helped Manpacks Take Off – with Ken Johnson". Mixergy. November 1, 2010.