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launched on BigCommerce
stores same day in-store pick up enabled
increase in revenue since launch
In 1989, two friends, Howard Haugom and Jixin Xu, began transforming the concept of affordable yet stylish bedding made from quality material into a full-fledged business.
In 1992, Quilts Etc. — now known as QE Home — launched their first two brick-and-mortar stores in British Columbia, Canada. Fast-forward to today and this family-owned business has evolved into a global brand with over 70 physical locations and a thriving ecommerce presence.
While QE Home has experienced significant growth for over 30 years, they’ve managed to stay true to providing customers with a luxury night’s sleep at an affordable price. In fact, QE Home is the first B Corp bedding company in Canada, further demonstrating the commitment they have to their customers, as well as the environment and their community.
Even though the company has evolved, it dealt with challenges regarding its initial ecommerce platform that held it back from scaling to its full potential. QE Home knew they needed to find a new solution if they wanted to grow their online business.
Prior to hosting their site on BigCommerce, QE Home established an ecommerce presence on a local Vancouver platform. However, this solution presented them with several challenges.
“We wanted to build out new features of the site, but every time it would cost a lot of money and take a lot of time,” said Phil Eng, President at QE Home.
In addition, the team found there to be too many limitations, specifically when it came to integrating apps. “If we wanted to integrate with another email program like Klaviyo, or an app like Gorgias, we were unable to. None of those things were available,” explained Eng.
With all these factors adding up, the team knew it was time to explore additional platforms that would offer them freedom and flexibility while saving them time and money. In 2018, the company assessed several different platforms and determined BigCommerce would offer them the ecommerce experience they were searching for.
“We chose BigCommerce for many reasons and we're happy today that we did,” said Eng.
“We chose BigCommerce for many reasons and we're happy today that we did.”
Phil Eng President, QE Home
As an omnichannel retailer, QE Home has taken advantage of BigCommerce features that allow them to enhance the shopping experience for their customers.
Through the platform’s multi-location integration, the company has implemented a “My Preferred Store” feature. This enables shoppers to search through QE Home’s in-store or online inventory — allowing them to Buy Online, Pick Up in Store (BOPIS).
“We already launched the ability to do a more simplified version of BOPIS, but we really wanted to make a more robust version where customers can shop the store inventory as well as our website inventory. This would allow them to either have items shipped to a store for pick up, or they could pick it up within a certain number of hours or days after placing their order,” explained Dinah Quan, Senior Graphic Designer at QE Home.
Since implementing the “My Prefered Store” feature, customers can see an accurate representation of what’s available throughout QE Home’s different store locations and online inventory. Even if a product is sold out online, shoppers can see if it’s available in another location nearby and pick up the product within the same day.
“The ease at which we're able to manage the multi-location inventory within the BigCommerce dashboard is incredible. I know that our stores love the program and the fact that their customers are now getting access to their actual inventory. Our stores feel they're really a part of the whole ecommerce initiative because it extends down to them. They feel that they can serve their customers a lot more efficiently,” said Ryan MacLeod, Ecommerce Project Manager at QE Home.
Incorporating this feature has also allowed the company to further showcase the care and commitment they have toward their customers by offering them a user-friendly BOPIS experience.
“We really wanted to ensure this functionality was built in as a seamless component of the online customer journey. Our goal is to remove as much friction from their experience as possible,” explained Quan.
A key component of QE Home’s decision to migrate to BigCommerce was due to the number of apps and integrations available on the platform. Incorporating these features helps the company generate additional revenue as well as build brand loyalty among its customers.
QE Home implements Klaviyo, which allows them to connect with shoppers by sending automated communications to past customers.
As a customer-focused company, the business leverages Gorgias to provide top-tier service to its shoppers. “We were able to integrate Gorgias really easily. Our Customer Care Team uses it. They're able to toggle between Gorgias and the BigCommerce back-end to support their ability to provide good customer care,” said MacLeod.
In addition, QE Home uses Stamped, which incorporates product reviews on their website, allowing them to build trust with their customers. Currently, the team is looking into launching a loyalty program through Stamped to further showcase their value for customers.
“What's great about the combination of these three apps is not only do they all integrate with BigCommerce, but they take BigCommerce data and talk to each other,” explained MacLeod. “Using that transactional and browsing information has been something that we've wanted to do for a really long time, so being able to start playing around with that is really exciting for us.”
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“What's great about the combination of these three apps is not only do they all integrate with BigCommerce, but they take BigCommerce data and talk to each other.”
Ryan MacLeod Ecommerce Project Manager, QE Home
“The ease at which we're able to manage the multi-location inventory within the BigCommerce dashboard is incredible. I know that our stores love the program and the fact that their customers are now getting access to their actual inventory. Our stores feel they're really a part of the whole ecommerce initiative because it extends down to them.”
RYAN MACLEOD, ECOMMERCE PROJECT MANAGER AT QE HOME
Since launching on BigCommerce, QE Home has grown significantly. The new platform coupled with business brought on by the pandemic allowed the company to expand their team and rapidly exceed their goals and milestones.
Over the five years QE Home’s been on BigCommerce, their revenue has grown by 250%. This is due to a number of factors, one being the successful rollout of same day in-store pick up orders to over 70 stores across Canada in the spring of 2021.
“Starting from 2018, I had monetary goals and we exceeded them. Our five-year goal was surpassed by March 2020, which was amazing, and today we're still on track,” said MacLeod.
“Starting from 2018, I had monetary goals and we exceeded them. Our five-year goal was surpassed by March 2020, which was amazing, and today we're still on track.”
Ryan MacLeod Ecommerce Project Manager, QE Home
As QE Home continues to grow the ecommerce side of its business, the company intends to remain focused on providing an exceptional experience to its customers. A few of the ways they plan to do this is by streamlining their “My Preferred Store” feature and increasing efficiencies of the site.
“We’re working on refactoring how we deal with the BigCommerce themes to create increased efficiencies on our website and improve site speed while still having eye-catching designs,” said MacLeod.
On top of this, QE Home plans to create a more streamlined checkout experience for customers. Currently, they offer payment methods ranging from credit cards to Buy Now, Pay Later options. However, the team is looking into offering Apple Pay and Google Pay, further creating an effortless experience for shoppers.
QE Home has leaned on the BigCommerce team throughout its journey on the new platform. With their support, the company knows they’re able to fulfil their commitment to provide customers with an exceptional sleep experience.
“The BigCommerce back-end support has been seamless. Being able to have questions and just connect via the live chat functionality is incredibly convenient. Most interactions are solved in a quick one-on-one,” explained MacLeod.
“The BigCommerce back-end support has been seamless. Being able to have questions and just connect via the live chat functionality is incredibly convenient. Most interactions are solved in a quick one-on-one.”
Ryan MacLeod Ecommerce Project Manager, QE Home
Published: February 2024
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