Furnishing the future

Rate this case

Furnishing the future

Written by Matthew Calvert
Published: 04-20-2026

Overview

Williams-Sonoma, an $8B premium home retailer, is evaluating how to deploy AI agents to modernize its customer experience. With 40% of annual volume concentrated in an 8-week Holiday window, leadership must decide whether to Buy, Build, or Partner to launch AI before peak season. Candidates must assess financial impact, execution feasibility, and strategic risk to recommend the optimal path forward.

Formats available

✍️ Self-paced case

📄 Peer practice PDF

🎥 Expert video

Case info

Difficulty

Advanced

Case type

Strategy

Industry

Retail

Company

Williams-Sonoma

Geography

North America, USA

Additional info

Includes charts and/or data analysis


Video mock interview with Experts

💡

Tip: Try cases on your own before watching Expert videos to maximize learning.

Featured Experts

Matthew Calvert | Mid Career Expert

Senior Director at Insight M (BizDev & Strategy at ClimateTech startup)

Ben Wilson | Mid Career Expert

White House Presidential Innovation Fellow | ex-Alvarez & Marsal | ex-EY-P


P.S. Are you preparing for consulting interviews?

Real interview drills. Sample answers from ex-McKinsey, BCG and Bain consultants. Plus technique overviews and premium 1-on-1 Expert coaching.

Return to all cases