Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Outer Opens 1,000th Showroom
July 16,
2021 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry 
DTC home brand Outer has announced the opening of its 1,000th Neighborhood Showroom, becoming the largest peer-to-peer showroom platform in the U.S.
Outer’s neighborhood showroom program allows shoppers to visit a home nearby to experience Outer products firsthand before purchasing. Consumers are able to browse a unique array of local showrooms online and then make an appointment with a local host to see, sit on, and feel Outer products in person.
Unlike the traditional furniture showroom experience, Outer’s Neighborhood Showroom Hosts are available to answer questions honestly and are not salespeople. There are no sales scripts and Hosts are compensated whether or not the visitor ends up purchasing. With locations in 49 states, this no-pressure, local browsing experience allows consumers to shop conveniently and confidently.
“The way people shop is evolving. We saw an overlooked opportunity in outdoor furniture, not only in the way it was designed but the way people shop for it,” said Jiake Liu, co-founder and CEO of Outer. “Our Neighborhood Showroom program is not only the next generation of retail, but also a way for people to re-engage with their communities and neighbors. After a long year of isolation, we are thrilled to celebrate this milestone and give people an opportunity to connect and enjoy the outdoors together.”
During the pandemic, Outer pivoted to virtual showroom visits for safety and in tandem, experienced an influx of Neighborhood Showroom Host applications. As the country begins to re-open, Outer is celebrating the program’s rocketship growth and the ability to host outdoor gatherings again.
Outer’s Neighborhood Showroom footprint represents a diverse range of places, spaces, and styles. Whether a shopper is looking to furnish a sprawling backyard in Texas or a cozy balcony in Brooklyn, Outer’s Neighborhood Showrooms offer a sourcebook of style to inspire their outdoor oasis.
“We design our products to be lifeproof. What better way to experience that than in a real customers’ outdoor space?” said Terry Lin, co-founder and chief design officer at Outer. “Every region has different weather conditions for outdoor products to contend with. Our Neighborhood Showrooms allow shoppers to see firsthand how our innovative products hold up to extreme heat, rain, wind, and snow.”