What virtual reality can offer to the furniture industry

The U.S. furniture, home furnishings, and textile industries are faced with threats from less expensive imports and as a result must become more strategic with regard to consumer preferences, effective marketing, and supply chain management. As a significant market for textiles, the sustainability of furniture and home furnishing industries is vital to the U.S. textile industry. This paper focuses on the furniture industry. The sustainability of the furniture industry lies on product variety, mass customization, and speed to market based on understanding of consumer preferences. Authors suggest Virtual Reality as a viable tool that may offer ultimate solutions to many identified problems that the furniture industry faces. Finally, the authors propose the Virtual Reality Integrated System (VRIS) as an innovative way for the U.S. furniture industry to more effectively address this situation and ultimately gain a more competitive stance in the furniture marketplace and, as a result, have positive impact on the textile industry.