It’s that time of year again where driving promotions ahead of the summer season kicks off. And there’s no better way to kick-start a sale than sending a text. That’s right, this month focuses on why text marking (SMS marketing) is one of the highest-engagement digital marketing channels, with the major factor being that text messages are typically read within minutes of being received.

For furniture retailers, it can be especially effective since purchases often involve research, promotions, financing and repeat visits over weeks or months. Here are the main benefits and practical ways furniture retailers can use text marketing effectively.

High open and engagement rates
Text messages are much more likely to be opened than emails, making them ideal for time-sensitive announcements, sales and event reminders. In fact, during 2025, the UK mobile commerce market surpassed the £100 billion milestone. According to Visa Acceptance Solutions data, mobile devices became the primary channel for digital retail, accounting for 49% to over 50% of all online retail purchases and generating nearly 80% of all online retail traffic.

Furthermore, 58%+ of online sales now happen on mobile devices, while two-thirds of online orders are placed via smartphones. Retailers that optimise for mobile stand to capture the majority of online shoppers, with consumers commonly use their phones to:

• Browse sofas, beds and dining furniture.
• Compare prices while visiting showrooms.
• Read customer reviews.
• Save products for later.
• Apply discount codes.
• Complete purchases using mobile payment methods.

Meanwhile, according to the World Economic Forum, SMS has a 98% open rate and a 45% response rate – compared to email which is around 20% or 6%.  Around 90% of users open a text within three minutes of receiving it and 94% of consumers prefer SMS above any other communications channel including email, letter and phone call. The data also outlines that 79% of consumers would consider purchasing a product from a marketing message received via SMS (or WhatsApp), and 90% say personalised messages encourage them to act.

Immediate communication that leads to a better customer experience
Texts are delivered almost instantly, making them useful for weekend sales, limited-time offers, delivery updates and other notifications such as click-and-collect and back instock reminders. Customers appreciate proactive updates, such as order confirmations, delivery times and stock availability. This reduces customer service enquiries while improving overall satisfaction.

Increased store traffic
A well-timed text with an exclusive in-store offer can encourage customers to visit a store, particularly during quieter trading periods.

Higher conversion rates
People who have already opted in to receive texts are often highly engaged. Relevant offers and reminders can encourage customers who are considering a purchase to complete it.

Cost-effective marketing
Compared with many forms of paid advertising, SMS campaigns are relatively inexpensive and can generate a strong return on investment when targeted effectively. A solid platform for this is FurnitureTexts – made and used specifically for furniture, beds and flooring retailers.

FurnitureTexts allows retailers to send highly targeted promotional text campaigns directly to customers’ mobile phones, helping businesses generate immediate engagement, increase showroom traffic, and drive additional revenue.

Whether its promoting clearance events, bank holiday sales, new product launches, finance offers, seasonal campaigns, or exclusive customer promotions, SMS marketing consistently delivers strong open rates and fast customer response.

FurnitureTexts has been built specifically with furniture retail in mind. Campaigns can be created quickly and easily, customer lists can be segmented for more targeted marketing, and retailers can send personalised promotions designed to maximise conversion rates. The platform is ideal for businesses looking to increase repeat sales, reactivate older customer databases, or create additional momentum around key trading periods throughout the year.

So, how can furniture retailers can make the most of text marketing?

There are a number of elements to consider here, from subscribers, message tone, audience breakdown to the customer journey and to also create a sense of urgency, or even FOMO (the fear of missing out). Let’s take a deeper dive.

Build a subscriber list

Create a number of ways your customers can join your network. Collect phone numbers through:

• Website pop-ups
• Checkout (online and in-store)
• Loyalty programmes
• Prize draws
• QR codes in store

Know your audience

Rather than sending the same message to everyone, divide customers into groups such as:

• New subscribers
• Recent purchasers
• Product specific shoppers (eg sofa, bedroom furniture, mattresses, beds etc.)
• Customers who haven’t purchased in over a year
• VIP customers

More relevant messages generally produce better results.

Customer journey

Use text marketing throughout the customer journey, which includes before, during and after purchases. Examples include:

Before purchase

• New collection launches
• Sale announcements
• Financing offers
• “Back in stock” alerts

During purchase

• Order confirmations
• Delivery scheduling

After purchase

• Care tips
• Accessory recommendations
• Review requests
• Future sale events

Create urgency

Text marketing works well for offers with clear deadlines. Urgency encourages quicker decisions. Some examples include:

• “20% off dining tables until Sunday”
• “Final weekend of our clearance event”
• “Only 8 sofas left in this colour”

Be personal

Use customer data where appropriate. Instead of: “Summer Sale Now On”. Try: “Hi Sarah, the king size mattress you viewed is now 20% off until Monday”. Personalisation makes messages feel more relevant and has more impact with engagement.

Make it clear

Each message should have one primary objective. Avoid trying to achieve multiple wins in a single text. Keep each message targeted to the specific promotion or point you wish to push. Examples include:

• Shop now
• Book a store appointment
• View today’s offers
• Reserve your furniture
• Track your delivery

Don’t over-message

Most retailers find that sending between two and eight marketing texts per month is a good balance, though the right frequency depends on customer expectations and campaign relevance. Customers are more likely to stay subscribed if every message provides genuine value.

What text should you send?

Great question! Here are some short examples to get the light bulb switched on.

Flash sale

This weekend only: Save up to 30% on selected sofas. Shop in-store or online before Sunday: [link]

Back in stock

Good news! The King Size Mattress (or product name) is back in stock. Order now before it sells out again: [link]

Delivery reminder

Your delivery is scheduled for tomorrow between 10am and 1pm. Track your order here: [link]

Abandoned basket

You left something behind. Complete your order today and enjoy free delivery: [link]

VIP offer

VIP Exclusive: Enjoy an extra 10% off already reduced furniture and beds this weekend. Use code VIP10.

Best practices

Text messages are generally used to deliver concise information. So, keep the character count down to under 160 where possible. Another rule of thumb is to send messages at appropriate times, always offer an ‘out-op’ option and regularly review campaign performance. When used correctly, text marketing can be a valuable tool for furniture retailers.

FurnitureTexts

Ready to send a text? Find out more information on how FurnitureTexts can send your message and help boost sales.

https://www.retailsystem.com/uk/features/text-marketing/