Online shopping has experienced explosive growth over the past decade. According to Statista, global retail ecommerce sales reached $5.55 trillion in 2023, up from just $1.34 trillion in 2014. This represents a compound annual growth rate of over 17%. Convenience is a major driver of this growth. Online shopping allows consumers to browse and purchase products from the comfort of their homes at any time of day. With mobile technology, online shopping can now happen on-the-go. As more consumers become accustomed to the ease of online shopping, this trend is only expected to continue.
Online Furniture Shopping Growth
Online furniture shopping has seen tremendous growth in the United States over the past decade. According to Statista, furniture and homeware e-commerce generated around $133 billion in the US in 2021, up from $81 billion in 2018. This represents a 64% increase in just 3 years [1].
The growth is being driven by several factors. Consumers appreciate the convenience of shopping for furniture online and having it delivered directly to their homes. The selection is vast, allowing customers to find exactly what they want. Online furniture retailers also frequently offer free shipping and free returns, which reduces the risks of buying large items sight unseen.
As online furniture shopping continues to gain mainstream acceptance, sales are projected to keep growing. Statista estimates that revenue will surpass $166 billion in the US by 2025 [1]. This presents major opportunities for both established furniture brands expanding online and digital-first startups gaining market share.
Benefits of Online Furniture Shopping
Online furniture shopping provides many benefits to consumers compared to traditional in-store shopping. Three of the main advantages are convenience, more options, and easy price comparisons.
The convenience factor is a major draw for online furniture shoppers. As noted on the CouchHaus blog, customers can shop from the comfort of their own homes at any time of day without having to visit multiple stores [1]. This saves time and effort compared to in-person shopping.
Online stores also offer a wider selection of furniture styles, brands, colors, and materials since they are not limited by physical showroom space. As Nilkamal Furniture points out, buyers can easily browse and compare many more options online versus what may be available locally [2].
Price comparisons are also simplified online. Customers can quickly search for an item across retailers to find the best deal. This level of price transparency is not as feasible when visiting individual brick-and-mortar stores.
Common Delivery Options
When ordering furniture online, customers have several delivery options to choose from:
Standard Delivery: This is the most basic and affordable delivery option. The items are delivered in the original packaging and brought inside the home or to the curb. Customers need to do any assembly themselves. Standard delivery usually takes 1-2 weeks (cite exact sources).
Expedited Delivery: For an additional fee, customers can request expedited delivery to receive their items faster, usually within 3-7 business days. This gets the furniture delivered quicker but does not include any extra services (cite exact sources).
White Glove Delivery: White glove delivery includes bringing the items into the home, unboxing, assembling, and setting up the furniture in the desired room. This full-service option costs more but saves the customer time and effort. White glove delivery takes 1-2 weeks on average (cite exact sources).
Assembly: Some retailers offer assembly as a separate delivery option. The delivery team will bring the items into the home and fully assemble the furniture. The customer does not need to do any setup themselves. Assembly typically takes 1 extra day beyond standard delivery timeframes (cite exact sources).
Average Delivery Times
The average delivery time for online furniture purchases can range from 2-12 weeks depending on the retailer, item, and delivery location. According to Expert tips for staying ahead of furniture delays, some of the top furniture retailers have the following average delivery estimates:
- IKEA - 1-2 weeks for in-stock items, up to 8 weeks for out-of-stock
- Wayfair - 2-6 weeks
- West Elm - 4-8 weeks
- Crate & Barrel - 2-8 weeks
- Pottery Barn - 7-10 weeks
For custom or oversized items, delivery can take 6-12 weeks in some cases. According to How Long Does It Take to Get Furniture Delivered?, the estimated time for delivery is 8-10 weeks for most online furniture purchases.
Factors Affecting Delivery Time
There are several key factors that affect delivery times for online furniture purchases:
Item availability - If the item is not in stock and ready to ship, it will take longer to be delivered. Online retailers may allow customers to backorder items that are out of stock, which extends delivery time.
Inventory location - Where the item is warehoused impacts how quickly it can be delivered. Retailers with multiple warehouses across the country can offer faster delivery to more locations.
Delivery distance - The further the delivery address is from the warehouse where the item is stocked, the longer the transit time. This is especially true for large, bulky items.
According to research by ShipScience, reducing the number of warehouses and optimizing warehouse location based on demand can help reduce average delivery times.
Expedited Delivery
For customers who need their furniture faster, most online retailers offer expedited delivery options. These allow the customer to receive their items in 1-3 days instead of the typical 5-7 days for standard delivery. Some common expedited delivery options include:
FedEx Express Shipping: Offers overnight to 3-day delivery to most areas in the US. Items ship via air so delivery is very fast.
Walmart Expedited Delivery: Walmart offers 1, 2, or 3 day expedited shipping on qualifying items and locations.
ShipSmart Expedited Services: Specializes in guaranteed time-definite deliveries and white glove final mile delivery. Great for bulky or high value furniture.
The main downside of expedited delivery is the higher cost. It usually costs 1.5-3X as much as standard delivery. However for customers who need an item right away or have an urgent situation, paying extra for 1-3 day delivery is worthwhile.
Large Items Delivery Considerations
Delivering large furniture items like sofas, beds, and dressers poses unique challenges for online retailers and delivery companies. These bulky items often require two or more delivery personnel to carry and maneuver them into homes and apartments. Staircases, tight hallways, and doorways less than 30 inches wide may prevent some large items from fitting.
Scheduling and coordinating multi-person delivery teams adds complexity. Many retailers outsource large item delivery to third-party logistics companies with trained staff and proper equipment like lift gates and dollies specifically for moving heavy furniture. This can extend delivery lead times. Some retailers like IKEA offer affordable flat-rate delivery for large items to simplify pricing.
Customers ordering large pieces online should measure doorways and staircases to ensure their home can accommodate the furniture. Scheduling delivery during move-in can make bringing items in easier. Some retailers allow buyers to select their delivery date and time window for convenience.
While most standard furniture arrives within normal delivery timeframes, bulkier items may take 1-2 weeks longer on average. Retailers should communicate realistic time estimates upfront. Delivery challenges are common but solvable with preparation and communication.
Tracking Orders and Communication
Online furniture retailers make it easy for customers to track the status of their order. Most major retailers like Home Depot [1], Crate and Barrel [2], and IKEA [3] allow you to check your order status by entering your order number and email address or phone number used during checkout. This allows you to see each step of the delivery process from order confirmation to out for delivery.
In addition to tracking, many retailers proactively communicate with customers via email and text message alerts at key stages of the order. For example, you may receive notifications when the order ships, is out for delivery, and delivered successfully. This helps set proper expectations and gives customers visibility without having to constantly check status.
Clear communication and easy tracking gives customers confidence during the delivery period. It also allows them to plan accordingly for large item deliveries.
Conclusion
In summary, online shopping for American furniture has become more popular in recent years due to the convenience and wider selection it offers. While standard delivery times for smaller items are typically within 1-2 weeks, larger items like sofas or bedroom sets can take 4-8 weeks for delivery. Shipping times can vary based on the retailer, your location, and any expedited shipping options chosen.
When shopping for furniture online, be sure to factor in shipping times and read all delivery details before purchase. Choose retailers that offer tracking and communication for a smooth delivery process. With some planning and research, you can likely find an online retailer that meets your furniture needs with acceptable delivery timeframes.
Online furniture shopping provides great selection and convenience that is hard to beat. Just be aware of average delivery times and costs, and make sure to measure spaces properly before purchase. With an informed purchase and clear communication with the retailer, your online furniture shopping experience can be smooth, successful and timely.
