Wayfair IRL

With the launch of the first Wayfair physical store in the Chicagoland area, I was eager to visit and see how a major online marketplace presents itself in a real-world setting.

The store, much like their product range, is expansive, featuring thoughtfully arranged product vignettes throughout both floors. The use of light wood grains created an airy atmosphere, and the layout was excellently designed for exploration and discovery. Uniquely, many of their displays were entirely composed of products for sale, such as tables, frames, and baskets, unlike other retailers that often use permanent shelving systems.

Some standout features included "The Porch" cafe space, the digital interaction for creating custom wall art, and especially, the fully plumbed faucets and showers where you could test the water flow.

From a consumer's perspective, the main drawback and source of frustration with this store is the inability to return online orders in-store. This practice contrasts with the expectations established by many other physical + online retailers and could be a contentious issue for unaware customers.

A visit to the newly opened Wayfair store.