Dunelm teams up with Airtasker for furniture installation

The homewares retailer is now offering shoppers the opportunity to connect with a local ‘Tasker’, who can build or install their furniture purchase. 

The partnership follows a successful trial across 18 stores, which saw shoppers hire Airtasker’s workforce for more than 500 tasks. The service will now be promoted in all 180.

The most frequently requested tasks by Dunelm customers include assembling beds (24.5%), wardrobes (21.2%), drawers (13.8%), tables (11%) and chairs (6.2%).

Shoppers also outsourced installation for lighting, mirrors and bathroom cabinets among other products.

Jemma Ryan-Williams, Dunelm director of business development, said: “While some customers relish the opportunity to put their hands to work, we’re conscious that for others the prospect of furniture assembly is something to dread.   

“Our collaboration with Airtasker gives customers the option to take these jobs off their plates, connecting them with skilled local Taskers while supporting the local economy in our store communities.

“The response from both customers and Taskers to date has been encouraging, so we look forward to extending the partnership across our full store estate and online.”

Airtasker was founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Tim Fung and operates as a services marketplace, connecting people who need work done with freelance workers in their local area. 

Shoppers can post tasks on the Airtasker website, setting a budget for the work, and receive quotes via the platform. According to Airtasker, getting a bulky wardrobe assembled can cost around £125 while assembling a smaller item, such as a TV unit, could cost £35.

Fung said: “Furniture assembly is one of Airtasker’s most in-demand services, representing more than 15% of tasks posted each year. Many of these tasks were organically from Dunelm’s customers, so this collaboration was a natural fit.”