Dream Décor Report also reveals consumer impatience with
high shipping costs when buying oversized items
AUSTIN, Texas – August 28, 2019 – It looks like there’s a new social media influencer in town: home décor. According to a new Dream Décor study from logistics technology platform uShip, one in six (18%) Americans who’ve purchased an oversized item in the past year feel pressure to have Instagram-worthy décor. Meanwhile, 15 percent feel others are judging their home décor and furniture.
The study, conducted online with third-party research firm YouGov, also showed the “Amazon Effect” – or the expectation of fast, free delivery – has now invaded the furniture market. Of consumers who purchased an oversized item in the last year, 56 percent said they would avoid a boutique furniture retailer if they encountered high shipping costs, while 36 percent would avoid a boutique retailer if it had a slow or long delivery window.
Download the 2019 Dream Décor Report on uShip.
HOME DÉCOR DEMAND
Home décor influence and inspiration can come from many places. The Dream Décor study showed when it comes to home décor recommendations, friends and family (18%) barely edged online marketplaces and retailers such as Etsy, eBay, and Wayfair (15%) as sources for these consumers’ home décor recommendations.
There is a significant opportunity for boutique retailers to meet demand in the booming $10 billion big and bulky home delivery market. Of consumers who purchased an oversized item in the last year, specific issues include:
- Cart abandonment: 27 percent have decided not to purchase a piece of furniture after it was in their cart due to high shipping costs
- Sticker shock: 26 percent feel it’s too expensive or difficult to replace their current furniture
BIG BOX VS. BOUTIQUE
For boutique retailers competing with big box stores, ignoring consumer frustrations can significantly impact the bottom line. Of consumers who purchased an oversized item in the last year:
- 40 percent would turn to a major retailer like Amazon or Wayfair if a boutique retailer didn’t offer free shipping.
- Nearly half (47%) would check their tracking number or status at least once a day, if they were expecting a piece of furniture which would take weeks to arrive, suggesting consumer impatience with long delivery times.
BIG BESPOKE OPPORTUNITY
Assuming boutique retailers rein in high shipping costs and long delivery times, they still have a major opportunity to attract buyers who prefer one-of-a-kind items over mass-produced pieces. Of consumers who purchased an oversized item in the last year:
- 1 in 7 (14%) feel that big retailers have too many furniture options
- 1 in 8 (13%) can’t find furniture they like from a major retailer like Wayfair or Amazon
- 1 in 10 (11%) have regretted buying mass-produced furniture from a major retailer like Amazon or Wayfair
“It’s never been more important for retailers, big and small, to focus on the entire customer journey,” said Kris Lamb, CEO of uShip. “In our experience, boutique retailers have a lot to offer the Instagram-loving, digital-first customer in terms of desirable items, but struggle to compete with fast, free shipping. We hope these insights will help boutique-style retailers address the growing needs of a solid buying experience.”
About uShip
uShip makes it quick, easy, and affordable to ship large or bulky items. From cars to cranes and furniture to freight, our straightforward and transparent platform helps people, businesses, e-commerce sellers, and multinational logistics companies ship with greater speed and efficiency. Launched in 2004, uShip is based in Austin, Texas. Find out more at uship.com, facebook.com/uship or on Twitter at @uship.
About Survey:
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1227 adults, 330 of which had purchased an oversized item online in the past year. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3rd – 4th June 2019. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).
