Member Article

Retailer launches futuristic solution to buying a sofa

A furniture retailer founded in 1902 is looking to the future by launching up-to-the-minute technology so that customers can create the perfect sofa from around 18,000 different configurations.

Lee Longlands, which opened its flagship site in Birmingham nearly 113 years ago, is launching its Sofa Configurator both online and in-store.

Three of the group’s stores in Derby, Birmingham and Abingdon will each have a new hi-tech ‘Imagine’ sofa studio.

People can use the touch screen to design their own sofa from a huge selection of styles, sizes, colours, fabrics right down to the foot colour. A number of the sofa designs are on display, in-store, so customers can feel the comfort as well as visualise the sofa online.

Robert Lee, director of Lee Longlands, said: “We are very excited about this project, which has taken nine months to put together. Our buyers have been working hard with suppliers to create these sofa designs and have selected the most fabulous fabrics. Then working alongside our buyers the software writers have been creating this ‘Imagine’ customer experience that all comes to life, in-store, on 46’’ touch screen TV’s.

“We believe we are one of the first independents to offer such leading technology where customers can visualise up to 100 different shapes and styles and then spin the sofa 360 degrees to see how the item looks from every angle. With three-seaters, two-seaters, corners, chaises, stools and 100 different fabrics and alternative feet colours available, there are over 18,000 different options to create that true personalised sofa.

“Customers find it hard to visualise how sofas look in different fabrics so this software helps their buying decision and we think customers will be braver in their colour choices when they can see what the sofa will look like. It is also fun interacting on touch screen TV’s and customers like the new in-store experience.”

Robert added: “Our vision is to bring the digital and in-store experience together and help the customer make more informed buying decisions. This really is the future of furniture retailing when customers can design their own sofa either at home, in-store or even travelling to work.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lee Southen .