OpenTable is letting users book time slots at supermarkets, helping them avoid the long lines that have become the norm due to social distancing. For many, going to the supermarket is their only trip outdoors and efforts to make the experience smoother will no doubt be well received.

The UK's fresh cut flower market is worth £2.2 billion at a retail level, and Freddie’s Flowers is looking to take a cut of this with its subscription-based service that delivers seasonal flowers through the post. It's appealing to people who want a regular indulgence rather than an occasional treat.

Online grocery shopping has been slow to take off in the US, but with COVID-19, more people than ever are signing up for the service. Shipt offers same-day delivery from a variety of retailers, providing quick, clean, and convenient drop-offs at a time when it's never been more appealing.

Whether it’s a mystery teabag or new make-up, an element of surprise comes packaged within many subscription boxes. Canvas8 spoke to Aditya Gupta, a PhD candidate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, to understand how surprise impacts the experience of self-gifting.