Flooring retailer Andersens has pioneered a ‘virtual reality’ decorating experience which can work instore and online. 

Andersens has 50 stores throughout Queensland and northern NSW and said the concept, called iDesign, was created to give customers “an exciting and refreshing shopping experience”.

CEO Brian Cooper says having over 1000 of the chain’s flooring and window covering options on line makes selection an exciting and fun experience for customers.

“This is an evolution of the brand; customers in today’s market expect a minimum good customer service and this, in addition to good product knowledge, is something Andersens is renowned for.

“Customers are expecting more, including a full product range from retailers’ websites, and they want to interact with products. We listened to our customers who said they needed to make their
products more accessible,” he said.

“To continue to be market leaders we wanted to go one step further and offer the consumer an interactive designing tool so they could design rooms at their fingertips.”

Andersens believes iDesign is unique in the category and provides a strong point of difference against competitors.

“Our vision and execution of our brand is very much customer focused, iDesign is innovative and exciting for our customers and our sales staff. We can now offer our customers a unique customer design experience,” explained Cooper.

The iDesign product will not only be able to be used in the comfort of one’s home but also available in store where design consultants can help customers through our product range. Andersens will
also be able to offer the experience through hand held tablets when staff visit customers’ homes to prepare flooring and window covering proposals.

The program, accessible through the company’s website, offers shoppers a choice of four rooms, including a family, living, bedroom, and a kitchen to decorate. Users can change wall and furniture colours, then try flooring and window cover options.