A major online home goods retailer is preparing for accelerated growth in 2026 following a return to expansion in 2025, when the company moved from a flat growth rate to 7% despite a challenging macroeconomic environment.
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Wayfair, the Boston-based e-commerce platform, has outlined a three-part strategy to drive growth: enhancing selection, price, availability and delivery speed; scaling business initiatives that provide measurable impact; and leveraging technology to optimise operations, supplier relations and customer engagement. Planned initiatives include Wayfair Verified, Wayfair Rewards, physical stores, CastleGate logistics, mobile apps, Wayfair Professional, and a new delivery service, Wayfair Delivery+. Expansion is also planned for kitchen and bathroom renovation support and customer financing options.
The company is investing heavily in AI, using large language models (LLMs) for chatbots, code assistance, customer service, product search, and advertising. CEO Niraj Shah and co-Chairman Steve Conine noted that "the age of AI is upon us and the potential utility and benefits from it are larger than we would have thought possible just a couple of years ago". They added that agentic AI will soon handle complex workflows such as photo-based damage assessment and design curation.
Shah and Conine concluded that the company is "firmly in control of our own destiny", focusing on both top-line growth and increasing profitability while preparing to capitalise on long-term industry cycles.
Source: www.furnituretoday.com
