La-Z-Boy builds upon virtual 3-D shopping offering
Vertical furniture retailer La-Z-Boy is upgrading 3D augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) tools it offers customers.
Expanding the capabilities of a partnership it launched with 3D product visualization platform Marxent in 2019, La-Z-Boy is rolling out next-gen 3D product configuration and WebAR OnDemand AR appless imaging technology on its website.
According to La-Z-Boy, WebAR sessions are up more than 150% from in-app AR usage when the company was relying completely on app-based AR for virtual product configuration and room planning.
How it works
Customers can visit any La-Z-Boy upholstered furniture product page on a web browser or mobile device. They can configure virtual furniture layouts on a desktop or mobile device and view from any angle.
Shoppers can also download a JPG or PNG of the virtual layout at any angle. If using a mobile device, they can view the configured product in AR. QR code support will be added for desktop users later this year.
In addition to WebAR and 3D Cloud Product Configurators, La-Z-Boy's in-house design program uses the Marxent 3D Cloud Room Planner solution to deliver customized floorplans with photorealistic 3D renderings to design clients. 3D
“AR is table stakes for today’s furniture shopper. La-Z-Boy customers love it, so we set out to provide AR for every buyable option in our highly configurable catalog,” said Jill Brown Thomas, senior director of digital commerce at La-Z-Boy. “The 3D Cloud product experience platform and 3D Cloud Product Configurator make personalization at scale easy. Shoppers can configure their desired product from millions of possible combinations and preview them in AR without any catalog knowledge and without an app.”
“La-Z-Boy was early to 3D product configuration and augmented reality,” said Beck Besecker, CEO and co-founder of 3D Cloud by Marxent. “The upgrade to WebAR OnDemand gives shoppers the tools to customize quickly, collaborate with loved ones on designs, and buy with confidence.”
La-Z-Boy invests in leading-edge solutions
The new virtual shopping initiative is part of La-Z-Boy's Century Vision strategic technology plan. Other recent efforts the retailer has made to deploy advanced solutions include its August 2023 rollout of the InMoment Xi platform, an omnichannel listening solution, to enable it to listen, learn, and act on all of the data signals within its enterprise. The platform can listen to and analyze signals from touchpoints including website, call center, chat, social media channels, and supply chain to help determine what’s happening with their customers and where they should focus their time and resources.
In April 2023 La-Z-Boy decided to implement the Stravito enterprise insights platform to serve as central hub providing quick and easy data access to its consumer insights division.
La-Z-Boy Inc.’s company-owned retail segment includes 171 of the 349 stand-alone La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleriesstores. Its branded distribution network also includes Joybird, an e-commerce retailer and manufacturer of upholstered furniture; 522 independent Comfort Studio locations; and in-store gallery programs for the company’s Kincaid and England operating units.