Adairs: Reimagining Home Furnishings with AI
Adairs Retail Group, one of Australia's most beloved homewares and lifestyle brands, partnered with Time Under Tension to explore how generative AI could enhance their business operations and customer experience across their extensive retail network.
The Challenge
As a leading Australian homeware retailer with over 180 stores and a strong online presence, Adairs faces the challenge of maintaining their distinctive brand aesthetic whilst operating at scale. From seasonal product launches and visual merchandising to customer service and supply chain management, the leadership team recognised that generative AI could unlock significant opportunities across their business.
Our Approach
We began with an Inform session, introducing the 20-person leadership team to the generative AI landscape and bringing the art of the possible to life through relevant use cases, demonstrations, and examples from the retail and homewares sector.
Following the inspiration session, we facilitated an interactive Design Workshop. We divided the leadership team into smaller working groups, each tasked with identifying current business challenges and potential opportunities within their areas. Through structured exercises, the groups then explored how generative AI could address these challenges or capitalise on opportunities. This hands-on approach ensured buy-in from across the business and generated ideas grounded in real operational needs.
The Results
The session produced 11 high-priority, impactful generative AI use cases ready for further investigation. These opportunities spanned multiple business functions and represented genuine potential for transformation across the Adairs Retail Group.
What made this workshop particularly successful was the energy and engagement from the leadership team. Their deep knowledge of the business, combined with curiosity about AI's potential, created a dynamic environment where practical, innovative ideas flourished. The prioritised use cases now form a clear roadmap for Adairs to begin their generative AI journey.