There’s something electric about bringing together passionate brands, partners, and industry experts all in one place—and this year’s ChargeX was nothing short of unforgettable. From spontaneous hallway brainstorms to eye-opening strategy sessions, the conference was packed with insights, stories, and celebrations of what’s possible in subscription commerce.
While we can’t recreate every incredible conversation, impromptu meetup, or booth experience, we can offer you a bite-sized look at what you might have missed.
1. Concierge SMS: Welcome to the future of subscription management
One of ChargeX’s biggest reveals was our new conversational SMS product, the AI-powered Concierge SMS. Recharge co-founder and CEO Oisin O’Connor shared a powerful vision of how AI can unify brand data with consumer insights to provide an elevated experience for the end user.
With a 98% read rate, SMS is where customers pay attention. Concierge SMS makes it easy for customers to change shipment dates and modify orders without having to log in to their customer portal or remember a password. Our AI-powered subscription concierge understands natural language, so it’s as simple as texting a friend.
Wondering how powerful SMS can be for your bottom line? Subscribers who manage their accounts via SMS drive 30% more lifetime revenue.
Concierge SMS is currently in limited release; join the waitlist here to get early access.
2. Resilience in the real world: Brands navigating tariffs & turbulence
Ecommerce isn’t always smooth sailing, especially in today’s landscape. That’s why our Resilience Toolkit session hit home for so many attendees. Bryan Starck, founder of 100 Celsius, opened with an energizing presentation, reminding the audience that subscription brands have a built-in profitability advantage. Now is the time to look more closely at pricing, promotions, and operations to uncover opportunities hidden in plain sight.
Following Bryan’s insights, a panel including Dale Traxler of Shopify and Alex Ledoux of Karta Ventures joined to tackle the broader challenges ecommerce brands face today: economic headwinds, supply chain volatility, and shifting customer expectations.
The panelists shared real-world tactics to build resilience into business operations: diversifying sourcing, leaning into flexible fulfillment models, and using subscription data to anticipate and prevent churn. The biggest takeaway? Resilience isn’t just about surviving challenges; it’s about using them as a catalyst to innovate and grow stronger.
3. Unlocking greater value: Insights from 100 million subscribers
On our way to powering 100 million subscriber journeys, Recharge has built a substantial dataset and gained invaluable insights into the subscription economy. And the good news is it’s still growing.
Total subscribers rose 25% in 2024, signaling continued demand even as the market matures. But we’re also seeing subscribers become more selective, narrowing their subscriptions to the products that truly earn a place in their routines.
This intentionality is unlocking a new level of value. An average subscriber is worth 3x a one-time customer, but digging deeper reveals a value ladder with an even bigger divide at the top—some cohorts reach up to 21x the value of one-time shoppers.
But moving subscribers up this value chain isn’t automatic. Brands that focus on personalizing the subscriber journey and offering flexibility are the ones unlocking that potential. It’s not just about acquiring subscribers—it’s about perfecting every step of the experience to maximize lifetime value.
4. Brands that last + powerful partners
In a world where anyone can sell a product, what does it take to build a brand that lasts? Throughout ChargeX, we celebrated brands doing exactly that. Best-in-class subscription programs from brands like quip, Estrid, Kollo Health, Wild Earth, Primally Pure, Balance of Nature, and NULASTIN took center stage.
These brands, and the powerhouse partners supporting them, are proof that staying power isn’t just about selling a product. It’s about creating exceptional experiences that earn your brand a permanent place in customers’ routines.
Alongside these triumphant stories, we also had the honor of announcing and celebrating this year’s Partner Award winners:
- Shopify as Partner of the Year
- Absolute Web for Outstanding Results in Retention and LTV Growth
- iamota for Exceptional Collaboration
Their work exemplifies the collaboration and innovation that make the Recharge ecosystem thrive.
5. The magic in the room
No matter how big the venue or how packed the schedule, ChargeX proved that meaningful connections happen face-to-face, sometimes in the most unexpected moments.
From a morning of wellness activations to kick things off with energy and intention, to a Partner Day filled with strategy, collaboration and shared wins, the event wasn’t just about content—it was about community.
Our opening party kicked things off with celebration and camaraderie, while subscription audits and partner kiosks provided one-on-one time to sharpen their strategies. We came together for captivating brand stories on main stage, then split up for more intimate experiences like breakout sessions and the Women in Ecommerce lunch, where candid insights and shared stories sparked meaningful dialogue.
And to close it out? An unforgettable party at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where everyone from first-time attendees to longtime partners came together to toast the future of ecommerce.
If you were there, thank you for showing up with curiosity, generosity, and ambition. If you missed it, we hope this recap gives you a taste—and inspires you to join us next time.
