‘Create Your Own Look’ goes live on Homebase website

Homebase has today launched a new online home décor solution using technology from Qmatic, the world leader and innovator in customer flow management (CFM). Create Your Own Look allows Homebase customers nationwide, to access Homebase’s kiosk-based interior design technology online via www.createyourownlook.homebase.co.uk.

Previously only available through selected stores, Create Your Own Look is now accessible to anyone with an Internet connection, and combines Qmatic’s new media technology with software and systems integration from HintTech, a specialist in the development and integration of digital media software solutions.

Customers using the system can either upload a photo of their lounge, kitchen, bedroom or bathroom or use a template room to trial various colour schemes and textures of flooring, paint or wallpaper, allowing them to visualise their room using their preferred Homebase products. Up to 200 different designs can be stored to a user name, allowing customers to return to their ideas at a later date. Designs can be printed and brought to a local Homebase Store, or customers can order directly online, using the product codes selected on their design.

The launch follows the successful roll-out of Create Your Own Look kiosks in a few pilot Homebase retail stores, which in its first month and within a single store saw 1605 interactions, with 98.5% of customers finding it useful as an interior design tool.

As well as providing the in-store digital displays, Qmatic provided crucial design work, using real images of flooring, paint or wallpaper, factoring in light and shadow within a room and also ensuring perspective of both wallpaper and flooring. The final result is a very realistic simulation, compared with some of the cartoon images used in other stores.

HintTech provided Homebase with the software development and technical system implementation. Written from scratch, the system was designed to scale for wider store roll-out as well as to be available online for both in-store use or remotely by customers. Derick Price, Sales Director at HintTech said, “Providing a software and technical system behind Create Your Own Look, which was scalable to business requirements was essential to Homebase’s business vision. We were able to quickly deploy a solution that can be used directly by the consumer and which adds value to Homebase’s offering. Qmatic’s design input allowed the end product to look very professional and provide very realistic colour matches and perspective.”

Stuart Batt, Head of Digital Media at Qmatic commented: “We have all been through the hassle of decorating samples, taking them home then going back to the store, possibly several times. This technology takes a lot of the guess-work out of creating a colour scheme at home and provides genuine value to customers before they commit to the outlay of decorating materials. Customers that use Create Your Own Look are amazed at how easy it is to use and enjoy playing around with different colour schemes and materials. They can share their ideas with friends and family and store a combination of designs for consideration. The whole process can now be done at home online, without even stepping through our door.”

Source : Proud PR
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