What Happened to Birchbox? Did Birchbox Go Out of Business?
by Ushapriyanga | Updated May 30, 2023
What Happened to Birchbox?
Birchbox, once a prominent player in the subscription-based retail industry, has gone quiet, leaving vendors unpaid and customers without products. The company's website is no longer functional, displaying a "deployment disabled" error message. Screenshots taken by Retail Dive on January 25 showed that the website was active but experiencing technical difficulties that prevented customers from completing purchases.
According to archived snapshots from the Wayback Machine, the website was disabled sometime in February. Birchbox was acquired by women's health company FemTec Health for approximately $45 million in October 2021. However, neither Birchbox nor its parent company has responded to inquiries for comment.
Both Birchbox and FemTec Health are facing challenges in paying vendors. An investigation conducted by Axios in October revealed that FemTec Health had outstanding payments to various vendors, including Meta, the parent company of Facebook. In an interview, Kimon Angelides, the founder and CEO of FemTec Health, stated that the company intended to pay vendors by the end of October.
However, as of January, some vendors and content creator had not received payment, as confirmed by emails shared by a former Birchbox employee with Retail Dive. The content creator, who signed an agreement with Birchbox in May 2022, had not received the owed $2,500 as of January 24, despite multiple attempts to contact the company. In an email obtained by Retail Dive, FemTec's Chief Marketing Officer, Gayle Bock, mentioned that the company was in the process of raising another round of funding, and until that was completed, there would be no update regarding the outstanding payment.
Retail Dive also obtained a document in which a law office representing Bazaarvoice sent a letter to FemTec Health on January 10, requesting a payment of $68,927 for services rendered, with one invoice being overdue for over six months. At the time of publication, a legal representative could not provide an update or comment from Bazaarvoice. FemTec Health has faced legal action due to allegations of unpaid bills.
Did Birchbox Go Out of Business?
Birchbox's parent company, FemTec Health, has sold the assets of the subscription beauty box company as it winds down its operations. This marks the latest development in Birchbox's decline, following its initial success as a pioneer in the subscription beauty box industry. In 2014, Birchbox had a large subscriber base and a valuation of $485 million. However, the brand experienced layoffs and a decrease in customers, leading to its acquisition by FemTec Health for $45 million in late 2021.
Birchbox has recently faced significant challenges, with vendors and customers claiming unpaid debts. In an effort to address these issues, FemTec has sold Birchbox's assets to Retention Brands, as announced in May, in order to fulfill its obligations to creditors.
Let's take a look at how Birchbox, once a thriving startup, came into existence, revolutionized its industry, and seemingly faded away. The concept for Birchbox was conceived by Katia Beauchamp and Hayley Barna while they were students at Harvard Business School in 2009.
Inspired by Netflix's DVD subscription service, they developed a similar model for beauty products. For a monthly fee of $10, Birchbox customers would receive a selection of designer beauty items, often in sample sizes, from brands like Nars and Kiehl's.
Prior to launch, Beauchamp and Barna secured $1.4 million in seed funding, and by 2011, they raised an additional $10.5 million in Series A funding from investors such as Accel Partners and First Round Capital. By this time, Birchbox had attracted 45,000 monthly subscribers and had expanded into other categories, including men's grooming.
In 2014, Birchbox opened its first physical retail store in New York's SoHo neighborhood, allowing customers to test products and customize their own Birchbox. The company also raised $60 million in a subsequent funding round, which increased its valuation to $485 million. By then, Birchbox had amassed 800,000 subscribers and acquired a French competitor.
How Much is Birchbox?
Birchbox offers various subscription plans for its beauty box service. The monthly subscription plan costs $15 per month. This plan allows customers to receive a curated box of beauty products on a monthly basis. It is a flexible option that allows users to experience Birchbox and its offerings without committing to a long-term subscription.
For first-time users who are unsure about committing to a monthly subscription, Birchbox also offers a three-month subscription plan for $15 per month. This plan provides customers with a three-month supply of beauty boxes. It is designed to give users a longer trial period, allowing them to try out the box for multiple months and determine if it's the right fit for their beauty preferences.
In addition to the monthly and three-month plans, Birchbox provides longer-term subscription options. The six-month plan is available at a slightly discounted rate of $14 per month. Customers who choose this plan will receive a beauty box every month for a duration of six months. By opting for the six-month plan, subscribers can enjoy a lower monthly cost compared to the monthly or three-month options.
The 12-month plan offers the greatest discount, priced at $13 per month. With this plan, subscribers receive a monthly beauty box for a full year. The 12-month plan is ideal for customers who are committed to using Birchbox for an extended period and want to save money in the long run.
It's important to note that all subscription plans are billed on a monthly basis, regardless of the plan duration. This allows customers to spread out their payments rather than paying for the full subscription upfront.
By offering a range of subscription options, Birchbox caters to different customer preferences and budgets. Whether someone wants to test the waters with a one-month subscription or commit to a year-long beauty box experience, Birchbox provides flexibility and variety in its subscription plans.
Birchbox Login
Birchbox is an e-commerce retailer specializing in beauty and grooming products. The company was established in 2010 and is headquartered in New York City. Birchbox operates on a monthly subscription model, offering customers a curated box of personalized beauty, grooming, and lifestyle samples.
Subscribers can sign up for a monthly subscription and receive a box filled with various samples tailored to their specific preferences and requirements. The samples cover a wide range of products, including makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance, and lifestyle items. Birchbox provides an opportunity for customers to try out these samples before deciding to purchase full-sized versions of the products from their online store.
In addition to the subscription service, Birchbox offers a wealth of beauty and grooming content on its platform. This content includes tutorials, reviews, and recommendations to help customers navigate the vast array of available products. Birchbox collaborates with numerous beauty brands and frequently features their products in the subscription boxes and online store.
Birchbox has gained popularity among beauty enthusiasts who enjoy the exploration of new products and the chance to try out personalized samples. One of the key aspects of Birchbox's appeal is its personalized approach to beauty and grooming.
When customers subscribe, they complete a beauty profile that includes information about their skin type, hair type, and other preferences. Birchbox utilizes this information to curate a selection of samples that align with each customer's unique needs, facilitating the discovery of products tailored to their individual preferences.
- Go to Birchbox.com.
- On the top right-hand corner of the homepage, click on "Log In."
- Enter your email address and password in the provided fields.
- Click on "Log In" to access your account.
- If you forget your password, click on "Forgot Password" on the login page. Follow the prompts to reset your password.
- You can also log in using your Facebook or Google account by clicking on the respective buttons on the login page.
- To manage your subscription, click on "My Account," and then select "Subscriptions." Here, you can view and modify your subscription plan, change your shipping address, or cancel your subscription if needed.
- To view your order history, click on "My Account," and then select "Orders." This will display a list of your previous orders, their status, and the products you received.
- To update your beauty profile, click on "My Account," and then select "Beauty Profile." You can modify your preferences, such as skin type, hair type, and beauty concerns. Updating your profile ensures that Birchbox sends you personalized product recommendations.
- To access your rewards and points, click on "My Account," and then select "Points & Rewards." Here, you can check your current points balance, redeem your points for discounts on future purchases, and view your referral history.
What is Birchbox?
Birchbox is an online monthly subscription service based in New York City. It was founded in September 2010 by Katia Beauchamp and Hayley Barna, both Harvard Business School graduates. The company offers subscribers a curated box containing four to five samples of makeup and beauty products, including skincare items, perfumes, organic products, and various cosmetics. Birchbox secured $1.4 million in seed funding from investors like First Round and Accel Partners in October 2010.
Over the years, it raised significant funding, including $10.5 million in Series A funding in August 2011 and $60 million in Series B funding in April 2014. With a valuation of $485 million, Birchbox opened its first physical store in New York's Soho neighborhood in July 2014.
In 2015, co-founder Hayley Barna left the co-CEO role, and in January 2016, the company underwent staff reductions. In October 2021, Birchbox was acquired by FemTec Health, a health startup, for $45 million. Throughout its journey, Birchbox has been a key player in the beauty subscription industry, attracting investment and expanding its offerings
What Happened to Birchbox-FAQs
Birchbox is an online monthly subscription service that delivers a curated box of beauty and grooming samples to its subscribers.
Subscribers sign up for a monthly subscription and receive a box filled with personalized beauty and grooming samples. The samples are selected based on the subscriber's preferences and needs, allowing them to discover new products before committing to full-sized purchases.
Birchbox includes a variety of beauty and grooming products such as makeup, skincare items, haircare products, fragrances, and lifestyle items.
While you cannot fully customize the contents of each box, Birchbox offers a personalized experience based on your beauty profile. The samples you receive are tailored to your specific preferences, ensuring a more personalized selection.
Birchbox currently ships to several countries outside the United States. The availability of international shipping may vary, so it's best to check the Birchbox website for the most up-to-date information.