A photo showcasing an empty Ashley Furniture store with a contrasting image of a laptop showing discounted prices online, highlighting the disparity in pricing between their physical store and online platform.

Why Is Ashley Furniture Cheaper Online Than In Store?

ByHulya Aksu Updated on

Furniture shopping can be an expensive endeavor, especially when looking for quality pieces that will last. Many shoppers are drawn to Ashley Furniture for their wide selection of stylish and budget-friendly options.

However, savvy shoppers have noticed that Ashley Furniture prices can vary drastically between their online and brick-and-mortar showrooms. If you’re looking to score the best deal on your next furniture purchase, understanding these price discrepancies can help you shop smart and maximize your savings.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Ashley Furniture is typically cheaper online than in stores due to lower overhead costs and more competitive online pricing.

Lower Overhead Costs

One of the main reasons why Ashley Furniture is cheaper online than in-store is due to lower overhead costs. Let’s explore some of the factors that contribute to this cost advantage:

No physical showrooms

When you shop for Ashley Furniture online, you won’t find any physical showrooms that you would typically see in brick-and-mortar stores. Physical showrooms require significant upfront investments in terms of rent, utilities, and maintenance.

By eliminating the need for physical showrooms, Ashley Furniture can save a considerable amount of money on these costs.

Less staff required

Online retailers often require fewer staff members compared to traditional brick-and-mortar stores. With no physical showrooms, Ashley Furniture doesn’t need as many sales associates or customer service representatives to assist customers in person.

This reduction in staff numbers translates into savings on wages, benefits, and training expenses.

Centralized warehousing

Another factor contributing to the lower cost of Ashley Furniture online is the use of centralized warehousing. Online retailers can consolidate their inventory in a few centralized warehouses, which allows for more efficient storage and distribution.

By streamlining their logistics operations, Ashley Furniture can minimize warehousing costs, such as rent, utilities, and labor.

Higher Online Competition

One of the main reasons why Ashley Furniture is cheaper online than in-store is because of the higher level of competition on the internet. With the rise of e-commerce, there has been a significant increase in the number of online retailers selling furniture.

This increased competition has led to a price war among retailers, making it more likely for customers to find better deals online.

Comparison shopping sites

Comparison shopping sites, such as Amazon, eBay, and Google Shopping, play a significant role in driving down prices. These platforms allow customers to easily compare prices from different sellers, encouraging retailers to offer competitive prices to attract customers.

By leveraging the power of these platforms, customers can find the best deals without having to physically visit multiple stores.

Moreover, comparison shopping sites often provide detailed product information, customer reviews, and ratings, helping customers make informed purchasing decisions. This transparency further increases competition among retailers, as they strive to offer the best quality and value for money to attract customers.

Competing online retailers

In addition to comparison shopping sites, there are numerous online retailers that specialize in selling furniture. These retailers often have lower overhead costs compared to brick-and-mortar stores, allowing them to offer lower prices.

They can operate with smaller physical spaces, fewer staff members, and lower inventory costs, resulting in significant savings that can be passed on to the customers.

Furthermore, online retailers have the advantage of reaching a wider audience, allowing them to sell greater volumes of furniture. This increased sales volume enables them to negotiate better deals with manufacturers and suppliers, leading to lower wholesale prices.

These savings are then reflected in the final retail prices offered online.

According to a study conducted by Statista in 2021, online furniture sales in the United States have been steadily increasing over the past decade, reaching a record high of $65.1 billion in 2020. This growth is a testament to the increasing popularity of online furniture shopping and the fierce competition among online retailers.

Online Promotions and Sales

One of the main reasons why Ashley Furniture is often cheaper online than in stores is due to the various online promotions and sales offered by the company. These promotions are specifically designed to attract online shoppers and provide them with great deals and discounts.

Sitewide discounts

Ashley Furniture frequently offers sitewide discounts on their online platform. These discounts can range from a certain percentage off the total purchase to free shipping. By shopping online, customers can take advantage of these sitewide discounts and save a significant amount of money on their furniture purchases.

Targeted email promotions

Another way Ashley Furniture makes their products cheaper online is through targeted email promotions. Customers who sign up for the company’s newsletter or create an online account often receive exclusive discounts and promotions via email.

These targeted promotions are personalized to the customer’s preferences and shopping history, making them more likely to make a purchase. By utilizing these email promotions, customers can access additional savings that may not be available in-store.

Flash sales

Ashley Furniture also frequently holds flash sales on their online platform. These flash sales are limited-time offers where specific products or collections are heavily discounted for a short period. By shopping online, customers can stay updated on these flash sales and snag great deals on furniture that may not be available in-store.

These sales often create a sense of urgency, encouraging customers to make a purchase quickly before the sale ends.

Lower Shipping Costs

One of the main reasons why Ashley Furniture is cheaper online than in-store is due to lower shipping costs. When you purchase furniture online, the retailer can take advantage of high volume discounts from shipping carriers.

These discounts are often not available to brick-and-mortar stores, allowing online retailers to pass on the savings to the customers.

High volume discounts

Online furniture retailers, such as Ashley Furniture, ship a large number of orders on a regular basis. This high volume of shipments allows them to negotiate better shipping rates with carriers. By shipping large quantities of furniture, they can secure discounted rates that are not available to physical stores.

These high volume discounts can significantly reduce the overall cost of shipping for online retailers. As a result, they are able to offer lower prices on their products compared to what you would find in a physical store.

Faster shipping methods

Another reason why Ashley Furniture is cheaper online is because online retailers can utilize faster shipping methods. Instead of relying on traditional shipping methods used by brick-and-mortar stores, online retailers can opt for expedited shipping options.

By using faster shipping methods, online retailers can streamline the delivery process and reduce transit times. This not only ensures that customers receive their furniture quickly but also cuts down on the overall shipping costs.

The savings from using faster shipping methods can then be passed on to the customers in the form of lower prices.

How to Get the Best Deal

When shopping for furniture, it’s always a good idea to look for the best deal. One way to do this is by considering purchasing furniture online rather than in-store. There are several reasons why Ashley Furniture may be cheaper online than in-store.

Here are some tips on how to get the best deal when shopping for Ashley Furniture:

Check online first

Before heading to a physical store, it’s a wise move to check online first. Many retailers offer special online-only discounts and promotions that are not available in-store. By browsing through different websites, you may be able to find better deals and lower prices for Ashley Furniture.

Additionally, online retailers often have a wider selection of products, allowing you to compare different options and choose the one that fits your needs and budget the best.

Use coupons and cashback

Another way to save money when purchasing Ashley Furniture is by using coupons and taking advantage of cashback offers. Many online retailers provide coupon codes that can be applied at checkout, resulting in additional discounts.

Additionally, some websites offer cashback programs where you can earn a percentage of your purchase back as cash. By combining coupons and cashback offers, you can maximize your savings and get the best deal possible.

Ask for price matching

If you find a lower price for the same Ashley Furniture item at a different retailer, don’t hesitate to ask for price matching. Some online retailers have price matching policies that allow them to match or even beat competitors’ prices.

This can be a great way to get the best deal while still enjoying the convenience of shopping online. Keep in mind that not all retailers offer price matching, so it’s essential to do your research and find out which ones do.

Conclusion

In summary, the lower overhead expenses, increased competition, frequent promotions, lower shipping costs and price matching opportunities online give Ashley Furniture more flexibility to offer discounted pricing through their ecommerce channel.

Savvy shoppers who take the time to research and compare deals across channels stand to save big on their next furniture purchase. After weighing the options and doing your homework, you can rest assured knowing you scored the very best price on quality Ashley Furniture pieces for your home.

Hulya Aksu is the founder and editor-in-chief of Posh Seven Magazine, the leading lifestyle publication serving the affluent suburbs of Washington D.C. Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Hulya moved to the United States to pursue her passion for fashion. She worked for major fashion houses before recognizing a need for a magazine that spoke to successful women in D.C.'s prestigious neighborhoods.

In 2007, Hulya launched Posh Seven Magazine from her home while on maternity leave. The magazine quickly gained an avid following for its insider's perspective on upscale living in communities like McLean, Potomac, and Bethesda.

Over the past 15 years, Hulya has built Posh Seven into a multimedia brand with print, digital, social media, and experiential components. Her visionary leadership and hyper-local approach has made Posh Seven a go-to resource for over 100,000 readers.

As founder and editor-in-chief, Hulya lends the magazine her impeccable taste and insights into luxury living. She resides with her family in Ashburn, Virginia where the Posh Seven headquarters are located. Hulya is deeply committed to serving the vibrant community of successful women who call D.C.'s affluent suburbs home.

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