Why publishers are introducing (and growing) product box programs

InStyle and The Cut launched product boxes this month for the first time, while Eater and Group Nine's curated boxes are reaching their one-year anniversaries. All are taking different approaches to this e-commerce extension. Read more below.

• Why do publishers find product boxes a worthwhile investment? It can be a tactile way for a media company to engage with people, show off its editorial curation abilities with products that people want to try out.
• Virtual reality and augmented reality technology is already more than sufficient to bring disabled people into virtual worlds; the challenge is in fine-tuning that technology to best serve those with disabilities.
• A shoe brand’s 50-person in-house marketing team aims to constantly push a community feel via advertising and marketing.