Big shifts continue across the subscription economy. The New York Times boosts forecasts on bundling success. Shamrock Capital bets on AI-powered subscription services. Recurly just made two major acquisitions to redefine growth for subscription brands. And Woolworths trims perks for its Delivery Unlimited members—raising new questions about value in loyalty programs. 

Recurly acquires Redfast and Prive to transform subscription growth

This is big: Recurly has acquired Redfast (now Recurly Engage) and Prive (now Recurly Commerce) to unify the future of subscription growth under one platform.

  • Recurly Engage empowers brands to personalize in-the-moment subscriber experiences with real-time data

  • Recurly Commerce brings advanced billing and commerce tools to Shopify-first and DTC brands

Why it matters: Together, these acquisitions give Recurly customers the tools to grow smarter and faster — no matter where they are in their journey. Read the press release

Shamrock Capital invests in Neocol to expand AI for subscriptions

Shamrock Capital launched its Clover strategy with a minority investment in Neocol, a consultancy helping brands deploy AI and Salesforce for recurring revenue.

Why it matters: Smart capital is flowing into platforms that help brands personalize and scale subscription experiences. Full story

The New York Times grows digital subscriptions

The NYT added ~250K digital-only subscribers in Q1, driven by bundle offerings and lifestyle content. Revenue grew 7.1% YoY, exceeding expectations.

Why it matters: Bundled experiences continue to prove powerful in reducing churn and boosting engagement. Read the update

Woolworths trims perks for Delivery Unlimited members

Woolworths will remove double Everyday Rewards points from its subscription service in June. While free delivery remains, members voiced frustration over reduced value.

Why it matters: Loyalty-linked benefits are under scrutiny. Subscription brands must communicate changes clearly and continue adding perceived value. Read more 

Tomorrow: Meet Recurly at SubscriptionX London

We’re heading to London for SubscriptionX! Stop by to connect with our team and see how Recurly helps brands grow smarter. Book a meeting

SubSummit Dallas — May 28–30

We’re excited to join the world’s largest DTC subscription event — and honored to be named Best Subscription Management Platform of 2025. Don’t miss our mainstage session with Cinemark’s Director of Loyalty, Megan Krouse and Recurly CEO, Joe Rohrlich on May 28 at 10:00 AM. Book a meeting

Recurly Release: Spring ‘25 — Power up your growth toolkit

From Recurly Compass (AI-powered analytics) to 10+ new payment options and flexible billing tools, our Spring Release is here to scale your subscription growth. Explore what’s new

Stream Subscription sessions: Spring edition

Catch the expert takes and actionable insights from the industry’s top minds. Spring's must-watch sessions are now live. Start watching

From the Recurly blog