Shopping for a surprise? Try a subscription box

New York

NEED a monthly delivery of doomsday prepping supplies? How about treats for your pet rabbit, or only-available-in-Japan snacks like Umashi Oasi Cheetos?

Then you might be a candidate for the latest consumer craze: the subscription box. A growing community of eager shoppers seeking both the convenience and surprise that every regular delivery brings are flocking to the concept, paving the way for ever-more-eclectic and specialised offerings.

Generally priced at US$10 to US$30 a shipment, the boxes are stuffed with goodies built around a theme, but usually filled with a …