If Palliser Furniture was a clothier, its staff would increasingly have tailor tapes at the ready to measure inseams and hips so its customers wouldn’t have to buy off the rack.
The Winnipeg-based furniture manufacturer’s personalized experience continues to expand as it recently opened its 144th studio, just two years after launching its “store within a store” concept.
Palliser studios range from 3,000 square feet to more than 14,000 square feet of dedicated retail space and feature the Palliser Interactive Designer (I.D). The cutting-edge tool uses 3D modelling technology, live pricing and a multitude of options, including furniture covers (fabric or leather), accessories and leg finishes to help the customer better visualize their ideal configuration before they purchase.
“The momentum we’re seeing with our studio program is incredibly exciting,” says Steve Ambeau, Palliser’s president. “Starting at zero and growing to 144 studios installed across North America in just a few years shows that this model is working. And we’re just getting started.”
“Bridging our digital and physical experiences is key to building lasting customer relationships. Our technology investments reflect our belief in meeting customers wherever they are, with the same quality and design expertise they expect from Palliser.”
Palliser’s digital configuration experience from its industry-leading “Interactive Designer” is now connected to Palliser.com providing all of its customers with a very similar personalization experience.
Palliser is “doubling down” on the studio concept and plans to expand into “untapped” markets. As part of that course of action, it will debut a slightly smaller footprint at the High Point Market – the world’s largest home furnishings show — this October in High Point, North Carolina.
“It’s part of our larger strategy to make the Palliser experience more accessible than ever before,” Ambeau says.
Palliser’s studio retailers include EQ3 Polo Park, Wien’s Furniture in Niverville and Sawatzky’s in Morden and Winkler.
Palliser has more than 2,000 employees in Winnipeg and in two cities in Mexico, Saltillo and Matamoros.
