Furniture and decor platform, Wayfair, is set to open its first full-size physical store as brick-and-mortar establishments make a comeback in retail. The company’s strategic move to physical stores is an attempt to reach a wider audience, providing a hands-on experience that online shopping doesn’t offer.
While the company originally found success as an online-only retailer, expanding into the physical realm aligns with recent trends in consumer preferences. Consumers are showing a growing preference for a mix of online and in-store buying known as omnichannel retail. This opening allows Wayfair to keep up with these industry changes and cater to customers who prefer the in-store shopping experience.
Opens in specific locations, this locale will form a part of an extensive network of Wayfair’s online services, providing customers a space to see and test products before purchasing. This will also support boosting the brand’s visibility, giving shoppers a memorable and tangible shopping experience that can ultimately build loyalty and increase revenues.
The specific location or opening date of Wayfair’s first store has not been released yet, however the company expresses excitement towards this significant step towards enhancing their customer service delivery and reshaping their business model.