The Coffee Subscription Business Is Booming—Here’s How to Start and Scale on Shopify

Shopify Product subscriptions are one of the rising trends in e-commerce as they offer multiple benefits to both Shopify merchants and consumers looking for Shopify subscription products. 

For merchants, the Shopify subscription empowers businesses to capitalize on the growing demand for subscription solutions. 

Product subscriptions for consumers offer a convenient way to access products frequently (as required), as they involve recurring payment options.   

Product subscriptions on Shopify offer convenience and savings, ensuring customers never run out of what they need. This consistency builds trust and encourages long-term loyalty. 

Whether it’s a Beauty & Skincare, Health & Wellness, Home & Living, or Clothing-based Subscription, demand for subscription-based products is on the rise, especially within the Shopify ecosystem. 

Moreover, among the many subscription products, Coffee is no exception – escalating a coffee subscription business model. 

The increasing popularity of subscription-based products is reflected in the rising subscription revenue. 

Data from Shopify reveals that Shopify’s Subscription revenue drove $1.84 billion in 2023. This further contributed to 26.06% of total company revenue, and revealed a 26.02% surge year over year.  

As consumer preferences shift toward ease of product accessibility with consistency, the coffee subscription business is one such niche becoming a high-growth opportunity in e-commerce.. 

For aspiring coffee Entrepreneurs wondering how to start a coffee subscription business, this model is an ideal way to start off with recurring value through curated products.  

Whether you are new to an eCommerce business or an existing Shopify merchant, curious about launching a Coffee club business, this blog post offers an understanding of how to start a coffee subscription business and how to set up subscriptions on Shopify. 

What is a Coffee Subscription Business?

A coffee subscription is a recurring business model that eCommerce merchants offer. In the subscription business, customers pay a complete subscription amount for a predefined time duration to keep receiving coffee products weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly for that time period.  Apart from coffee, there are several other products such as Software Subscriptions, E-commerce Services, Food & Beverages, Health & Fitness Products,  Subscription boxes, and B2B Subscriptions, to name a few. 

How Significant is the Coffee Subscription Business?

The coffee subscription business is both significant and increasing rapidly, especially in the U.S market. Here are some statistics showing how the Coffee subscription business is significant: 

Market Size:

As per the report by Statista, the U.S coffee market hit $89.67 billion in revenue. Moreover, the total revenue from the sales of coffee subscriptions in the home market is anticipated to grow annually by 2.12% (CAGR 2025-2029).

Subscription Trends:

According to the Comunicaffe, the Southeast U.S coffee market is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 10.3% from 2025 to 2030. Due to the rise in urban living and expansion of the young adult demographic, it’s driving a rise in demand for high-quality coffee experiences. 

The way coffee shops are rising and various convenience factors, such as subscription options and personalized loyalty programs, are making it more convenient for consumers to enjoy their favorite brews effortlessly.  

Consumer behavior:

• According to the report from DriveResearch report, nearly 75% of Americans consume coffee every day
• Over a third of people 3-5 cups of coffee every day 
• 51% of consumers buy coffee once a week from a coffee shop 
• As per the statistics from Corner Coffee Store, there has been a 109% increase in coffee subscription sales since 2019. Moreover,  there has been a 25% surge in sellers providing coffee subscription services.

Power Up Your Store: 8 Advantages of Coffee Subscriptions for Shopify Merchants

1. Predictable recurring revenue – Planning to set up a coffee subscription business? Well, that’s a smart move. Setting up a coffee club business ensures consistent, recurring revenue generation. Unlike the one-off purchase, a Shopify coffee subscription brings predictable cash flow and better business planning. 
2. Stronger Customer Loyalty and Retention – Launching a coffee subscription in-store can become a keystone of customer retention strategy. This helps in building up a solid customer base, which in turn, increases repeat sales of your coffee product.
3. 3. Simplified Inventory and Demand Forecasting – With a steady subscriber base, coffee club business models enable merchants to predict customer demand, minimize waste, and optimize supply chain and inventories. 
4. Higher Customer Lifetime Value (CLTV) – When merchants get consistent product orders bi-weekly or monthly, it helps boost customer lifetime value significantly. This consistent coffee subscription in store keeps consumers connected with the brand over a longer time, leading to more earnings per customer compared to standalone sales.
5. Personalization and Upselling – Using Shopify subscription apps, Shopify merchants can escalate their customer experience through automated product suggestions. Plus, subscription apps increase customer retention, streamline subscription management, and personalize management. These apps not only streamline the product buyer journey but also boost customer retention.
6. Improved Cash Flow – The Coffee subscription business allows merchants to collect payments upfront, in fixed time intervals. This flow of constant cash allows coffee store owners to invest in or expand coffee-based products online.
7. Lower Customer Acquisition Costs Over Time – Instead of spending large amounts of money time after time to win new customers, the coffee club business model benefits from lower customer acquisition costs and enables long-term subscriptions to generate recurring revenue. 
8. Flexible Business Expansion Options – Shopify coffee merchants have a great chance of expanding business by offering gift subscriptions, tiered plans, or limited-edition blends for coffee subscribers, making the coffee club business scalable and future-proof.

How to Start a Coffee Subscription Business

Well, whether you are new to the coffee subscription model or already a coffee brand seeking to expand a new coffee subscription venture, you are right!

In today’s digitally driven world, it is undeniable that consumers are turning to access subscription-based products, including beverages like Coffee. 

So, now is the time to discover how to start a coffee subscription business and build a recurring revenue stream. 

Here’s a step-by-step to help you launch your subscription coffee shop.

Step 1: Choose Your Coffee Offering

First things first, define what your coffee subscription business will offer. For instance: 

• Single-origin or blended beans?
• Whole beans, ground, or pods?
• Roasts: light, medium, dark?
• Delivery frequency: weekly, bi-weekly, monthly?

Getting an understanding of your product line will let you plan a subscription model that keeps customers engaged and coming back.

Step 2: Define Your Subscription Model

There are multiple ways to set up your coffee subscriptions:

• Fixed subscription boxes: Same blend or assortment every cycle
• Seasonal selections: A curated surprise each month
• Creating your coffee club: Let customers choose frequency, roast, and grind type.

Step 3: Set Up Your Online Store

To start selling product subscriptions online, you will need a robust eCommerce platform—Shopify. The Shopify development is a go-to solution for entrepreneurs due to its ease of use, advanced subscription features, and strong subscription support.

• Sign up for a Shopify account
• Choose a theme tailored for product subscriptions
• Add your coffee products and set up collections

Step 4: Install a Subscription App

Since Shopify doesn’t offer subscriptions out of the box, install a subscription app like Driftcharge. Shopify subscription apps like Driftcharge enable customer subscription management, automated recurring payments, flexible billing cycles, subscription pause and cancellation management, and automated renewal reminders.

Step 5: Focus on Branding & Packaging

Exceptional coffee product offerings keep subscribers connected and engaged with brand. Moreover, fantastic branding and unboxing experiences turn consumers into loyal yet long-term fans. As a Coffee store owner you must invest in:

• A memorable brand name and logo
• Distinctive brand packaging
• Personalized thank-you cards or small freebies
• Engaging social media presence
• Unique brand story and values
• Customized coffee cups or labels
• Loyalty programs and rewards

Focusing on these factors helps your brand build a solid identity as a premium coffee club business.

Step 6: Set Up Recurring Logistics

To ensure smooth fulfillment:

• Partner with a reliable roaster or roast in-house
• Choose a shipping provider with subscription-friendly pricing
• Automate order processing via Shopify or your subscription app

Credibility is a key factor in running a coffee subscription business successfully. Every customer expects their product on time!

Step 7: Launch and Promote Your Subscription

Once everything is ready:

• Offer a launch discount or free first month
• Promote on social media, email, and coffee forums
• Collaborate with influencers or bloggers in the coffee niche
• Also, add a “Join the Coffee Club” CTA on your homepage to drive signups.

Step 8: Track, Optimize, and Grow

Success in the coffee subscription business comes from improvement:

• Use analytics to track churn, retention, and LTV
• A/B test pricing and frequency options
• Collect customer feedback and reviews regularly
• The coffee subscription business is not just about selling coffee—its about building relationships.

How Much is the Coffee subscription Shopify Setup Cost?

If you are a coffee business owner in the U.S planning to set up a coffee subscription business on Shopify, getting an idea of the setup cost is crucial. Though the overall coffee subscription Shopify setup cost depends on the scale of your coffee business. Plus, the level of customization you require also influences the overall cost. Factors such as customized subscription plans, packaging, integration with loyalty programs, personalized notifications, etc., can affect the setup cost. 

Here’s a breakdown of the typical coffee subscription Shopify setup cost:

1. Shopify Plan

Basic Shopify: $39/month (sufficient for small coffee subscription stores)

Shopify: $105/month (recommended for growing merchants)

Shopify Plus: Starts at $2,300/month (for high-volume brands needing advanced features)

2. Subscription App Cost

To operate a coffee subscription business, you will need a third-party app. Apps such as Driftchaarge are one of the robust subscription management apps. 

3. Development & Setup Fees

If you are partnering with a Shopify Plus agency for professional setup and customization, you can anticipate the following estimated cost: 

4. Optional Costs

• Custom Branding & Design:   $500 – $2,000
• Email Marketing Integration (e.g., Klaviyo): $50 – $200/month
• Packaging & Fulfillment Setup: Variable

Above all, the coffee subscription Shopify setup cost can vary depending on the store’s customization level you want. However, to know the exact Coffee subscription setup cost, approaching a professional Shopify Plus agency will help get the exact costing. 

 A Shopify Plus agency plays a key role in setting and offering the best coffee subscription experience, ensuring seamless user experience, maximizing customer retention, and long-term scalability for a coffee club business. 

Why You Need Shopify Plus for Coffee Subscription Development

Developing a thriving coffee subscription business on the Shopify platform requires a scalable setup tailored to retention, performance, and sustainable growth. And that’s where Shopify Plus plays a key role, offering enhanced features, flexibility, and support to drive business seamlessly. Below is what Shopify Plus offers: 

1. Advanced Checkout Customization for Higher Conversions

Shopify Plus lets you gain complete control over checkout through Shopify Functions and extensible APIs. This allows you to personalize the checkout flow, like loyalty-based discounts, offering one-click upsells, or subscription-only bundles. This way increases both AOV and conversion rates.

2. Custom Subscription Logic Using Shopify Subscriptions API

Unlike basic plans, Shopify Plus lets you fully utilize the Shopify Subscriptions API, allowing you to implement advanced logic. For instance, features like offering trial packs, product swaps, or dynamic billing intervals tailored to customer behavior can all be implemented seamlessly through retention-focused Shopify development.

3. Seamless Integration with Fulfillment & CRM Tools

Shopify Plus allows robust integrations with 3PL providers, inventory systems, and CRMs like Klaviyo. This ensures hassle-free order handling, real-time notifications, and personalized communication, powering Shopify subscription optimization and enhancing customer loyalty.

4. Long-term Scalability with Shopify Plus Development Support

As your coffee club expands, so do the challenges. The challenges can be regarding multi-store management, international shipping, or analytics. Shopify Plus development services provide strategic support to grow your coffee subscription brand, ensuring long-term growth with minimal friction.

To Wrap Up

The rise of coffee subscriptions reflects a shift in consumer behavior toward convenience, personalization, and consistent quality. 

For coffee brand owners, this subscription model unlocks recurring revenue, stronger customer relationships, and predictable growth. 

Whether you are a small roaster or an established brand, now is the time to tap into this booming market with a scalable, retention-focused subscription strategy.

How can Codingkart help set up your Online Coffee Subscription  Business?

At Codingkart, we specialize in building high-performance Shopify solutions tailored for the coffee subscription business. 

Whether you are planning to launch a new coffee club business or looking to escalate the existing brand, our Shopify developers ensure a seamless setup using the Shopify Subscriptions API, custom workflows, and strategic integrations. 

From Shopify subscription optimization to retention-focused Shopify development, we build personalized subscription experiences that enhance customer loyalty and lifetime value.

With extensive expertise in Shopify Plus and a focus on long-term scalability, Codingkart is your go-to partner to develop a profitable yet future-ready coffee subscription online brand.

Ready to launch or scale your coffee subscription on Shopify?

Get in touch with our Shopify Plus experts. Schedule a free consultation call today!

FAQS:

1. How do I start a coffee subscription business on Shopify?

To start a coffee subscription business on Shopify, you will need a Shopify store, a subscription app or custom setup using the Shopify Subscriptions API, and a fulfillment system in place. For a robust, scalable setup, it’s best to work with experts like Codingkart, who specialize in Shopify subscription development and can customize your solution for retention and growth.

2. What features are essential for a successful coffee subscription setup?

The key features for a coffee subscription setup are subscription logic (e.g., product swap, pause/cancel), recurring billing, customer portals, and CRM/inventory integration. Codingkart can help integrate and optimize these tools through retention-focused Shopify development to ensure your store scales smoothly.

3. How much does it cost to set up a coffee subscription business on Shopify?

The cost depends on your setup complexity—basic app integration may cost less, while advanced setups using the Shopify Subscriptions API, custom design, or third-party integrations can be more. Codingkart, a leading Shopify Plus Agency, offers flexible, business-friendly pricing based on your coffee brand’s goals and budget.

4. Why should I use Shopify Plus for my coffee subscription business?

Shopify Plus allows for advanced checkout customization, access to Shopify Functions, and higher API limits—crucial for a scalable subscription business. Codingkart, as a Shopify Plus agency, helps merchants unlock the full power of Plus for long-term subscription success.

5. How can Codingkart help me grow my coffee subscription brand?

Codingkart offers end-to-end subscription development services—from strategy and setup to optimization and integrations. With a focus on Shopify subscription optimization and retention-focused Shopify development, we ensure your coffee subscription brand is built to convert and scale.