In recent years, the furniture trade has changed dramatically. Digitization never used to be an issue for large retailers such as Oakworld, Ikea and John Lewis. Today, however, in order to stay competitive, no retailer can afford to ignore the digital world. Successful furniture retailers use a combination of digital and non-digital technology in their warehouses. Order processing is now done digitally, but warehouses still move furniture manually using furniture trolleys. There are a variety of factors for furniture retailers to consider regarding the digital age.
Changing customer habits
At one time, most furniture was purchased from furniture stores, often from large stores located in retail parks or town centres. Consumers now expect an online presence as standard. They will either buy furniture online or use a retailer’s website for research, finding the items they are interested in before visiting the store.
Digital apps and virtual reality
Some retailers have apps that customers can download to their smartphones. They can point their phone camera to a room interior and images of various furniture items will appear in the room image.
Virtual reality systems give customers a sense of what a room will look like with new furniture. Users can take a virtual walk around the newly furnished room.
Digital and non-digital in the warehouse
In the future, warehouses may be fully automated, with robots pushing the furniture trolleys, loading furniture onto them and taking them to the automated packing station.
Warehouses are not yet fully automated and continue to use furniture trolleys to manually move items. The digital systems that are used increase efficiency by processing orders and locating items in the warehouse. Visual or audio signals guide operators pushing furniture trolleys to item locations. Digital software also plans the best picking routes to minimise walking distance.
Safety
Safety is vital in warehouses. Workers are trained in the safe use of furniture trolleys and how to lift furniture onto them. Warehouses need several types of trolleys for items that vary in shape and weight. For example, the storage and moving requirements for sofas are very different to chairs. To move different item types safely, specialised trolleys are required.
There is now the added threat of the Covid-19 virus, which requires social distancing measures. Digital systems can be used to enforce social distancing. Cameras mounted on furniture trolleys detect how far operators are away from other workers. Amazon has developed a system that monitors the distance between employees. The software that runs their system is being made open source so that any warehouse can use their social distancing technology.
Preparing for expansion
Many people have spent a lot more time than normal in their homes during the coronavirus lockdown. This has prompted homeowners to think about how to improve their homes. New furniture is one popular way of improving a home and this is driving increased demand.
To prepare for expansion, consider purchasing additional furniture trolleys and using digital systems to augment your manual handling systems. Call Steely Products, or use the contact form below, to arrange a discussion about the best furniture trolleys that efficiently move and store furniture.
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