Online home giant Wayfair is flipping the script on its digital-only roots, launching a bold physical retail co-op program in its Boston headquarters as it gears up for a new wave of brick-and-mortar stores in 2026. Starting January 5, 2026, this six-month, paid co-op experience is designed to recruit top college talent and train the next generation of retail leaders and merchandisers.
Why Wayfair Is Expanding Physical Retail—And Why Boston Is the Hub
Wayfair’s vision is to be the first and favorite destination for anything home, inspiring our customers to find their ‘just right’ solutions—providing support and empowerment in an experience they can make their own.
This push reflects the company’s broader transformation: after years of dominating online sales, Wayfair now aims to open and operate physical retail locations across its entire family of brands, including AllModern, Joss & Main, Birch Lane, and Perigold. The Boston home base serves as the test bed for retail innovation—mixing digital expertise with immersive, in-person store experiences built for today’s shoppers.
Physical Retail Co-Op: Training Future Store Leaders
The Physical Retail Co-op program runs January 5 to June 19, 2026, and pays $23 per hour. Co-ops work 40 hours per week with four days in the Boston office (Monday-Thursday) and one day remote (Friday).
Key qualifications include:
- Current undergrad with graduation between December 2026–May 2029
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Commitment to return to studies after completion (not open to graduates)
- Basic analytical, communication, and organizational skills
Every co-op receives a dedicated manager, mentorship, and access to professional development sessions led by Wayfair’s senior leadership. Wayfair empowers you to think independently, contribute ideas, and help shape the future of home retail—all while gaining hands-on experience with real projects that matter.
What Co-Ops Will Work On: Real-World Impact
Participants join the Physical Retail team and collaborate cross-functionally with:
- Commercial Strategy and Marketing
- Merchandising Operations
- Home Services (including logistics, assembly, and installation)
- Supplier Relations and Analytics
You’ll develop and execute strategies that generate competitive advantage for Wayfair, and the results of your findings will improve the end-to-end supplier and customer experience. Recent co-ops have worked on store layout optimization, product selection and curation, seasonal marketing campaigns, and streamlining logistics for home delivery and assembly.
Big Picture: Wayfair’s Boston Store & U.S. Retail Growth
Wayfair’s main Boston store serves as a showcase for next-generation retailing. The site features immersive product displays, tech-powered personalization, and curated collections to enhance and optimize the shopping journey—backed by data-driven decisions that prioritize customer convenience and brand discovery.
The retailer’s physical expansion isn’t limited to Boston; Wayfair has recently announced plans for new locations across the Midwest and Ohio, with a flagship in the works for Polaris, Ohio in late 2026.
Wayfair strives to drive tangible value and ensure a seamless customer experience, achieving this by blending digital catalog breadth with in-person service and support. That means hiring not only for co-ops but also for store managers, visual merchandisers, and operations associates.
Why the Retail Industry Is Watching
Wayfair’s pivot to retail comes as other online-first brands scale their brick-and-mortar presences to meet evolving customer preferences for both convenience and experience. By integrating student talent into the physical retail pipeline, Wayfair hopes to build relationships with local colleges and tap emerging trends, technologies, and fresh perspectives to set the pace for future retail.
The inclusion of the Home Services team further extends Wayfair’s reach, treating services as products and using gig-economy models for installation, assembly, and after-sales support. Co-ops will work with service professionals to solve real-time challenges in Boston and other major city markets.
How to Apply
Applications are open now for January 2026. Interested undergraduates should visit Wayfair’s careers portal for details on the Physical Retail Co-Op Program, Visual Merchandising Co-ops, and other positions.
