Wakefit Innovations: overcoming challenges of online sales of furniture & furnishings
Publication date: 22 August 2023
Abstract
Learning outcomes
After reading and discussing the case, the participants would be able to: apply 7S and VRIO framework for online furniture retail; evaluate the profitability of horizontal versus vertical marketplaces for selling furniture online; articulate the challenges faced by online furniture retailers; discuss the applicability of technology to enhance customer experience in online furniture retail; and discuss the omni-channel strategy which online furniture companies can adopt.
Case overview/synopsis
Although furniture has traditionally been an unorganized category, the online furniture platforms have been on an upward curve since past few years. Digitization of economy and usage of smartphones to access internet had given a thrust to online purchases. This case on Wakefit Innovations Private Limited is intended to provide the readers with the business and marketing insights of selling furniture using online platform. The readers will be able to understand how retailing furniture using e-commerce is full of challenges and how various marketing activities have helped Wakefit improve their customer base. The readers can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of horizontal versus vertical e-commerce marketplaces and various challenges associated with online furniture retailing. Whether Wakefit should continue setting up experience centres and the benefits that could accrue by usage of virtual reality, augmented reality and data analytics are additional dimensions which can be discussed by the readers. The case will benefit the professionals in understanding the challenges and marketing strategies used by online furniture retailers and the same can be replicated by other players in this sector.
Complexity academic level
This case is suitable for students enrolled for full credit course on e-commerce at post graduate level. The case can be discussed towards the middle of the course once the students have studied different formats of e-commerce marketplace.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 8: Marketing.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: The authors have not received any funding to develop the case.
Declaration: There is no potential source of conflict in this research.
Disclaimer. This case is written solely for educational purposes and is not intended to represent successful or unsuccessful managerial decision-making. The authors may have disguised names; financial and other recognizable information to protect confidentiality.
Citation
Attri, R. (2023), "Wakefit Innovations: overcoming challenges of online sales of furniture & furnishings", , Vol. 13 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/EEMCS-11-2022-0401
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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