What: Wayfair is set to open its first large-format store next month in Wilmette, Illinois.

Why it is important: This move marks a significant expansion of Wayfair’s offline presence and comes at a critical time when home retailers are struggling with demand fluctuations post-pandemic. The store's large format and inclusion of an on-site restaurant represent a strategic effort to enhance customer experience and integrate physical retail into Wayfair's predominantly online business model.

Wayfair is opening its first large-format store in Wilmette, Illinois, which will be about ten times larger than its existing stores, featuring 150,000 square feet of retail space. This store, located at Edens Plaza, is set to open on May 23 and will offer a vast range of home-related products across 19 departments. Unlike its smaller outlets, this location will allow customers to either take products home immediately or have them delivered. The inclusion of an on-site restaurant, The Porch, is designed to enhance the shopping experience, offering indoor and patio seating. This expansion reflects Wayfair’s shift towards creating a more integrated omnichannel shopping experience amid broader sector challenges, including declining demand in the furniture and home furnishings sector and Wayfair's own financial struggles in recent years.

Wayfair’s first large-format store to open next month