I invite you to imagine a future where much of what we know about the
process of selling furniture is replaced by the evolution of AI, biometric
technology, neuroaesthetics and sleep science. It’s a future where interior
design and furniture retailing are known for enhancing personal health and
well-being while still considering customers’ personal preferences, budget,
delivery and other present-day considerations.
Let’s follow Sara and Jim from Riverside, Iowa, as they shop for new bedroom
furnishings. Their search starts at Tarjet’s Biometric Gallery™ located in
nearby Coralville. Tarjet’s store display, branding and merchandising is
well known for its biophilic and neuroaesthetic design (see article in this
Furniture World issue), as well as for incorporating principles of
neuromarketing and the science of sleep.
Prepare: Sarah and Jim get ready for a store visit by
asking their GPT version23-enabled Apple Vision Pro-16 wearables to measure
their physical responses to their somewhat worn bedroom furnishings—heart
rate, blood pressure, GSR, cortisol levels and brain scan. The purpose is to
get baseline emotional and physiological readings. Sara’s wearable also
‘sketches’ the room, takes inventory of its contents and creates a detailed
3D model.
Qualify: Upon entering Tarjet’s gallery, the couple is
greeted by room consultant Shirley who asks permission to use their personal
information, including sleep history data, before linking Jim and Sara’s
wearables to the store’s proprietary software. She asks them questions,
including style preferences, health complaints, room use and budget
considerations.
Present: As Sara and Jim walk through the gallery, their
wearables collect data about their emotional and physical responses to the
displays/products, score likely health benefits for each display/product,
then integrate that data with the information previously shared with
Shirley, who stays with them as a guide and product expert.
Close: Moving to the store’s design center, replete with
fabrics and options, Shirley asks GPT-23 to generate initial good, better
and best room plans based on the collected data, shared data, Tarjet’s
inventory situation and maybe its margins. GPT-23 makes modifications based
on Sara and Jim’s questions and concerns—perhaps about styles/colors, cost,
health benefits, sustainability, financing or a need to complete the room
over time.
Result: Then the couple either buys or asks for her card.
The latter result is something even technology may never be able to change!
Wishing you good retailing,
Russell Bienenstock
Editorial Director/CEO
russ@furninfo.com