Follow these best practices for inquiring about a potential employee’s Covid-19 vaccination status and avoid paying a fine The tricky question more and more employers are facing as they require vaccinated employees is this: How do I properly ask about a job candidate’s Covid-19 vaccination status without violating human resources laws? Inc.com contributor and HR […]
Something (Not) to Chew On
To avoid turning off customers, here are 5 habits to adopt. First up: Leave the gum at home Chomp. Chomp. Chomp. Chewing gum can keep your breath minty fresh, diminish cravings for food and cigarettes, and burn off some nervous energy. It also can annoy the heck out colleagues and shoppers. You may think your […]
Malouf Launches New Pillow Packaging
Sleep products and accessories supplier Malouf, based in Logan, Utah, is rolling out fresh pillow packaging with messaging designed to connect with customers. The new style is designed to have a high-end feel and capture customer attention with a focus on each pillow’s unique feature or selling point. Olivia Godfrey, lead graphic designer for Malouf, […]
Spring Air Revamps Chattam & Wells
Boston-based mattress licensing group Spring Air International has reintroduced its Chattam & Wells luxury handmade mattresses as a nod to the brand’s 25th anniversary. The company has refined the look and feel of the mattress brand along with its consumer-facing website. The newly polished Chattam & Wells line was unveiled at Spring Air’s Licensee Summit […]
Simmons Offers New Mattress, Beautyrest Pillow
The Simmons brand is offering its Medium Mattress, a foam model that’s not too firm and not too plush, according to mattress major Serta Simmons Bedding LLC. The mattress includes gel memory foam, a motion separate layer to reduce disruptions from a sleep partner’s movements and a Climate Cool cover with moisture-wicking technology. It retails […]
Soft-Tex, Restonic Receive Women’s Choice Award
Soft-Tex International, a home textiles producer based in Waterford, New York, has earned the Women’s Choice Award for its line of licensed Restonic top-of-bed products. The Women’s Choice Awards honors businesses and brands based on consumer experience. As part of this program, products are subjected to a rigorous product testing panel. “Earning the Women’s Choice […]
King Koil Expands Arizona Plant
Manufacturer King Koil has added 40,000 square feet to its plant at its headquarters in Avondale, Arizona. The company also has hired 20 additional workers, bringing the site to 130,000 square feet and employment to 90. “Our retailers are experiencing a surge in demand from consumers who have more disposable income to spend on upgrading […]
New Pillow Complements Nature’s Rest
Licensing group Spring Air International added the Natural Talalay Pillow to its Nature’s Rest brand. The pillow comes roll-packed in an attractive box and is expected to retail for $119. Retailers can stock the pillow in store or use the Woburn, Massachusetts-based company’s direct-to-consumer, drop-shipping option for online sales. “Today’s consumers have an affinity for […]
Shifman Mattresses Throws in Pillows
Shifman Mattresses is hoping to help retailers punch up their sales with a new pillow program. “Our new luxury pillows are a natural extension of the luxurious comfort and highest quality materials that are synonymous with the Shifman brand,” said Bill Hammer, president of the Newark, New Jersey-based manufacturer. “It offers an upgraded sleep experience with […]
Blu Sleep Adds Italian-Made Accessories
Blu Sleep, which manufactures sleep products made with foams poured in Italy, has further expanded into luxury sleep accessories with two sheet collections, two duvet covers, two throw blankets and a plush leisure robe, all made in Italy from high-quality cotton yarns and cashmere. “Our customers have been asking for Italian sheets and accessories […]
Bedline Offers New Slant on Storage
Bedline, a Madrid-based sleep products manufacturer, debuted sleek, platform storage beds at the Summer Las Vegas Market. Industry veteran Scott Frisch and his company Discover Sleep represent the brand, which is making its first appearance in the U.S. market. “Bedline has been extraordinarily successful in the EU,” Frisch said. “There’s no doubt about the need […]
“Take 5 With Dave” – Las Vegas Market Highlights
Here’s a rundown of more new mattresses, adjustable bases and sleep accessories that caught my eye at the Summer Las Vegas Market. Plus, a “celebrity” sighting.
Englander Introduces Supreme Collection
Chicago-based mattress licensing group Englander added the Supreme collection at the Summer Las Vegas Market. Available to ship nationally, 14 new beds retailing from $799 to $3,999 provide an array of comfort choices. Premium components include pocket springs, microcoils, copper-infused latex, copper-infused viscoelastic and cool-to-the-touch fabrics in elegant colors. “We encourage retailers to do […]
Spring Air Offers Nature’s Choice
For consumers who like the idea of a latex mattress but don’t like the latex price, Spring Air International has created Nature’s Choice, which debuted at the Summer Las Vegas Market. The six-model collection complements sister brand, Nature’s Rest, which is constructed with Talalay latex cores and linen fabrics. Nature’s Choice features a hybrid construction […]
Corsicana Updates Collections
Manufacturer Corsicana, headquartered in Dallas, refreshed two collections and extended another for the Summer Las Vegas Market. The company redesigned six hybrid mattresses under the American Bedding label, giving them new foams, coil systems and covers. Thirteen value-priced Sleep Inc. beds also featured new components and covers. In addition, a new bed in the NightsBridge […]
Eclipse Launches New Line, Reintroduces Another
Eclipse International focused on two of its successful brands at the Summer Las Vegas Market in August. First, it launched the Hemingway Adventure Series by Chittenden & Eastman, which intentionally calls to mind the Ernest Hemingway name. “Several of our major retailer partners acknowledge the digital dynamics and the brand awareness that comes with the […]
Shifman Hires Genshock
Shifman Mattresses has hired Diana Genshock as Southwest territory sales manager. She reports to Lisa Frey, national sales director. “Diana’s diverse professional background and strong business acumen will be an asset to Shifman’s growth in this key market,” Frey said. “She has a proven track record of building strong and profitable business relationships throughout her […]
Hollis Helps Harrison Spinks Enter U.S. Market
High-end U.K. bedding maker Harrison Spinks, headquartered in Leeds, England, has hired U.S. sales veteran Scott Hollis to represent the brand as it seeks entry to the U.S. market. As North American sales manager, Hollis is charged with getting the vertically integrated manufacturer’s beds onto American retail floors. His responsibilities include business development, and marketing […]
Naturepedic Earns Certification
Naturepedic has become one of two companies to complete certification for the Organic Trade Association’s new organic fraud fighting program. The Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions program is meant to help companies comply fully with U.S. Department of Agriculture’s regulations. “At Naturepedic, we believe in and are fully committed to maintaining the integrity of organic standards,” […]
Soft-Tex Opens 2nd U.S. Manufacturing Plant
Facility in Texas will speed delivery to retailers, the company says Soft-Tex International, a producer of bedding and home comfort products based in Waterford, New York, held a grand opening of its new manufacturing facility in Sugar Land, Texas, on Aug. 4. Warehousing and distribution operations at the Sugar Land facility will improves shipping to both retailer […]
Pleasant Mattress Draws From Past to Give McRoskey Beds New Look
Manufacturer Pleasant Mattress Inc. has unveiled new looks for the McRoskey brand. Five innerspring beds in the Modern and Classic collections feature updated woven fabrics and traditional McRoskey elements such as sewn handles, tufting, border grommets, two sleep surfaces and a box spring. The beds found their first placement at the San Francisco retail store […]
Brooklyn Bedding Goes Deep With Upscale New Sheets
Brooklyn Bedding has expanded its selection of sleep accessories sold in its company stores and online. Deep Cotton Bamboo Sheets by Brooklyn Bedding are a cotton/bamboo viscose blend retailing in twin to California king from $99 to $179 for a set. As the collection name implies, the fitted sheet accommodates extra-thick mattresses as tall as […]
Mattress Firm Promises to Rid Country of “Junk Sleep”
New campaign features actor Liev Schreiber and Olympian Gabby Douglas Mattress Firm, a Houston-based specialty sleep chain, is using a new campaign to shed light on what it deems “America’s junk sleep problem.” The marketing effort is one of the largest in the company’s 90-year history, according to a news release. The retailer describes junk […]
Precision Adds Pillows
Industry supplier Precision Textiles has added three more pillows to its SlumberShield sleep accessories brand. Approximate retail prices range from $69.95 to $99.95 for the three cloud-inspired pillows — Cirrus, Nimbus and Stratus. The molded pillows have different silhouettes, specialty foams inside and a cooling cover. “Accessory sales continue to be an important category for […]
Casper Brand Now in Mattress Warehouse
Casper Sleep Inc. has added another established retailer to its growing wholesale channel. Beginning in July, Frederick, Maryland-based sleep shop chain Mattress Warehouse is flooring Casper mattresses and pillows at its 60 stores, as well as selling its products on SleepHappens.com. This brings the tally of Casper’s wholesale partners to 28, a list that includes […]
Rize Creates Convenient Catalog
Sleep products producer Rize, a division of Mantua Manufacturing Co., based in Cleveland, Ohio, has published a new product catalog for retailers that makes ordering easier. Packed with information and photography, the catalog offers a consolidated overview of Rize’s curated product line. The new catalog is available in print or as an electronic file (contact […]
Spring Air NE Licensee Opens New Plant
Spring Air International’s northeastern licensee U.S. Bedding/Spring Air Northeast moved to a new plant in Fall River, Massachusetts. Less than a mile from its original facility, the new 13-acre site has 146,000 square feet of production space and 10 loading docks. “Retrofitted with new machinery including state of the art roll-pack equipment, the enhancements in […]
Chinese Company Buying Logicdata
The maker of adjustable bed bases will operate as a separate company Zhejiang Jiecang Linear Motion Technology Co. Ltd., a publicly traded entity based in Shanghai, is purchasing Logicdata Electronic & Software Entwicklungs GmbH, a maker of adjustable bed bases and other motion components. Walter Koch, founder, majority owner and chief executive officer of Logicdata, […]
Industry Veteran Niles Cornelius Retires
Ending his career at Hickory Spring Manufacturing, he spent nearly 50 years in the bedding business Bedding industry veteran Niles Cornelius, who has held a variety of executive positions with Hickory, North Carolina-based Hickory Springs Manufacturing and other bedding companies, has retired from his post as product training manager at HSM. His retirement marks the […]
PureCare Blankets Honored
Phoenix-based sleep accessories supplier PureCare earned a fifth Women’s Choice Award, this time for weighted blankets. Nationally, 90% of PureCare customers surveyed by Women’s Choice Award said they would recommend PureCare’s Zensory weighted blankets to friends and family. “Women control or influence about 85% of consumer spending, and the ‘she-conomy’ continues to grow and shape […]
Ante4autism Rescheduled, Carlitz Again a Sponsor
The 13th annual Ante4autism poker tournament, which was rescheduled from the Winter Las Vegas Market, will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 at a new venue, the Grandview Lounge of the South Point Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Stuart Carlitz, chief executive officer of Eclipse International, will again donate $10,000 […]
Pleasant Offers Budget Spring Air Models
Producer Pleasant Mattress, which holds the license to sell Spring Air in California and Arizona, launched its own value-priced Spring Air program. In a three-part, step-up collection — Fundamentals, Tradition and Evolution — of 10 queen-size mattresses that retail from $399 to $1,199. The beds have stretch-knit covers and use different combinations of foam and […]
Lights! Camera! Action! Dave Perry!
Take 5 With Dave video series launches June 21 Sleep Savvy magazine and its sister publication BedTimes magazine will launch a weekly video series, Take 5 With Dave, Monday, June 21. Hosted by the one-and-only Dave Perry, editor at large for BedTimes and Sleep Savvy magazines, the brief, high-energy and cheeky videos will highlight bedding […]
Logicdata Previews SilverSlim Prototype
Adjustable base maker Logicdata gathered retailer feedback at the April Las Vegas Market on a new base prototype, SilverSlim. The base has a sleek, low-profile design meant to fit most existing bed frames and bases, and comes with optional adjustable feet. According to the company, it is quieter than other models and offers no-tool assembly […]
Customatic Adjustable Launched
Customatic Technologies unveiled the DreamFlex adjustable base, targeting premium price points, at the Las Vegas Market in April. The base is packed with features designed to “deliver the sleep of your dreams,” the company said in a news release. DreamFlex offers independent head and foot adjustability, USB ports, wireless remote, underbed safety lighting and adjustable […]
TSI Sees Sales Jump, Delays Line Launch and Makes Acquisition
On May 27, Tempur Sealy International Inc. provided an update on its expected second-quarter sales. The Lexington, Kentucky-based company reported sales had accelerated and now were expected to increase 60%, compared with the second quarter of fiscal 2019, which was unaffected by the pandemic. The mattress major also announced it planned to acquire Loudwater, England-based […]
Americanstar U.S. Adds Retailer, Launches Lines
Houston-based Americanstar U.S., part of Vietnam’s Americanstar Group, has inked a distribution deal with Mattress Firm Montana and launched new collections. The Mattress Firm licensee operates six sleep shops in Montana and, beginning this month, offers five Americanstar U.S. collections. Available in a variety of constructions, the beds range in price from $199 to $1,799 […]
Therapedic Adds 2 Licensees
Therapedic International, based in Princeton, New Jersey, has added two domestic companies to its growing group of more than 50 licensees on six continents. The newest members are Dutch Craft Sleep Products in Celina, Tennessee, and Heritage Sleep in Orwell, Ohio. Dutch Craft, the new Therapedic Tennessee, holds the licensee for Kentucky and Tennessee. The […]
Southerland’s “Cool” Introductions
At the Las Vegas Market in April, producer Southerland, based in Nashville, Tennessee, highlighted the importance of better sleep with the Signature and ThermoBalance collections, which are designed for maximum airflow and durability. All of the beds use a special ThermoBalance quilted panel fabric made with “cooling yarns.” The ThermoBalance bed collection is focused on […]
Ergomotion’s Quest Connect Makes Sleep Smarter
Santa Barbara, California-based Ergomotion launched the Quest Connect line at the Las Vegas Market in April. It’s a collection of new smartbed bases and accompanying app that interconnect with other smart home technology to provide an endless array of home automation possibilities. These include features such as your bed sensing your awakening and being able […]
Intellibed Broadens Its Audience With Gelee
Salt Lake City-based manufacturer Intellibed created a more affordable version of its luxury mattress collection, which it launched at the Las Vegas Market in April. In addition to lower price points, the new Gelee bed offers the company’s signature comfort layer proprietary Gel Matrix technology and is paired with traditional components, such as memory foam […]
Diamond Mattress Delivers on New Products
Diamond Mattress introduced two mattress collections and a pillow program at the Las Vegas Market April 11-15. The Rancho Dominguez, California-based manufacturer reached into new top price points with Generations; told a natural story with Ethos; and launched customizable, U.S.-made pillows. Generations has classic styling with a button-tufted houndstooth ticking and high-end components, such as […]
Luxury Brands Aireloom, Kluft and Marshall Mix It Up at Market
The Madrid-based Flex Group, owner of E.S. Kluft & Co. and Marshall Mattress, presented its Aireloom, Kluft and Marshall brands in two reorganized, unified showrooms across from one another in arguably one of the largest launches at Las Vegas Market, a total of more than 50 new beds from the three brands rolled out to […]
Protect Your Company From Cyberattacks, Please!
By Greg Wright | Photography by Chris English/Tigermoth Creative In the midst of the pandemic and a busy holiday season, Wright Global Graphics faced something no company wants to experience — a data breach. Greg Wright shares his experience with the hope it will encourage industry members to be aware and prepared. In the midst […]
BSC Study Confirms a Divided Nation
Possibly a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, consumers favor softer mattresses, especially among young shoppers, according to a Better Sleep Council survey The country is divided. One side is getting softer. The other is holding firm. No, we are not talking politics, my friends. We are talking mattress firmness or the lack thereof. One of […]
Free Google Nest With New Nectar Beds
In May, San Francisco-based Resident, a distributor of digitally native bed brands and other home goods, launched two mattress models — Nectar Premier and Nectar Premier Copper — sold with a free Google Nest Hub with Sleep Sensing. “Nectar’s mission is to give people the sleep quality they deserve. We’re proud to have been able […]
The 10 Most Sleep-Deprived Cities Across the U.S.
Is your town on the inaugural list from Mattress Firm and SleepScore Labs? Atlanta holds the unenviable title of being the most sleep-deprived city in America, according to a new survey from Houston-based sleep chain Mattress Firm and its partner SleepScore Labs, a sleep app provider based in Carlsbad, California. Here’s the top (or should […]
Eclipse Gains 80th Licensee
Eclipse International signed its 80th licensee, Capital Bedding, based in Verona, Mississippi. The agreement gives Capital, a large regional producer, the right to make, market and distribute the Eclipse and Eastman House brands in Mississippi and neighboring states. “We are delighted to come onboard the Eclipse family of licensees and are looking forward to this […]
Cabinet Bed Introduces Country Chic, Antimicrobial Finish
Cabinet Bed Inc., a manufacturer of space-saving Murphy beds that fold into compact, wood cabinets, has expanded its lineup and added an enhanced antimicrobial coating to all of its products. The new Barn and Rustic models are available in nine stains and three paint finishes, have heavy hardware, and are constructed from solid birch plywood, […]
New Eclipse Brand Reuses Ocean Plastic
Eclipse International is launching Nemo, a high-end bedding brand that uses 100% recycled polyester spun from plastic debris collected by The Ocean Cleanup, a registered charity in The Netherlands dedicated to ridding the world’s oceans of plastic waste. The North Brunswick, New Jersey-based manufacturer and licensing group plans to give regional exclusives to top retailers. […]
Mlily Enters Juvenile Bedding
Mlily USA in Knoxville, Tennessee, part of Rugao, China-based Healthcare Co. Ltd., has introduced a juvenile sleep line for children ages 3 and up. The Jama collection includes two mattresses and an adjustable pillow. The mattresses have playful colors and are packaged with a mattress protector. “We see great growth opportunity in the juvenile sleep […]
Shifman Launches New Website to Aid Retailers
Shifman Mattresses, a producer of luxury bedding based in Newark, New Jersey, has launched a new website designed to enhance business for its retailers. Consumers visiting ShifmanMattresses.com receive specific recommendations for mattresses sold at retailers in their area. Recommendations are based on shoppers’ answers to an eight-question Dream Match quiz. The website has a new look, too. […]
Pleasant Mattress to Offer AirFlex Line
Fresno, California-based bed maker Pleasant Mattress is launching the AirFlex brand, a four-model line of dual-sided mattresses targeted toward younger consumers who are looking for handcrafted beds with natural materials and features that improve sleep quality. The new collection, which was designed to work with platform bed bases, atop box springs or with adjustable bed […]
WithIt Conference Virtual for 2nd Year
WithIt, the High Point, North Carolina-based women’s networking group for members of the home furnishings industry, is holding its Professional Conference virtually again this year. The interactive online event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT on May 7. With a focus on “Leveraging Leadership,” it will feature speakers, roundtable sessions, panel […]
Pilgrim Adds E.S. Kluft
Luxury mattress producer E.S. Kluft & Co., based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, has secured placement of its Aireloom Preferred Palladium line at Pilgrim Furniture, a family-owned and -operated retailer with store locations across Connecticut. David Bassett, owner and vice president of sales at Pilgrim Furniture, said: “We chose Aireloom because their products help grow our […]
Text Me
These quick, immediate messages are a great way to reach customers — and they’re receptive to them What’s the best way to reach consumers these days? Try the same method you probably use to communicate with friends, family and colleagues — text. In a new survey, 58% of consumers say they prefer text messages from […]
CertiPUR-US Partners With Wright Global Graphics to Open Online Store
The CertiPUR-US foam certification program for flexible polyurethane foam has launched an online store in partnership with Wright Global Graphics to offer merchandising materials that promote participation in the CertiPUR-US program. The store (CertiPUR.us/Store) makes it easy for participating retailers and makers of bedding and upholstered furniture to order or reorder labels and top-of-bed and point-of-purchase materials bearing the […]
Mancini’s Adds King Koil
Mattress manufacturer and licensing group King Koil, based in Avondale, Arizona, has placed its Smartlife Mattress by King Koil program at Mancini’s Sleepworld, a 34-store retailer in Northern California. The placement at Mancini’s includes the Lily Luxury Firm model with wired or wireless remote options. As part of the point-of-sale program for the line, the […]
Southerland Expands, Enhances Trucking Fleet
Nashville, Tennessee-based Southerland Transport, a wholly owned company of independent mattress manufacturer Southerland, has expanded the number of trucks in its fleet and updated the technology in those vehicles. During the past few months, 14 new trucks have been added to the fleet, bringing its total to 51. “Providing strong customer service is one of […]
Mixed Messages: Consumers Shop Amazon but Want to Support Small Businesses
New survey finds 4 in 10 consumers do most of their online shopping at the e-commerce giant A new survey finds that the vast majority of Americans say it is important to support small businesses hurt by the Covid-19 pandemic and yet many have increased their reliance on the retail behemoth Amazon during the past […]
Mlily Adds Adjustable Bed Bases, Pillows
Mlily USA, a mattress and pillow brand owned by Healthcare Co. Ltd., with headquarters in Rugao, China, is doubling its adjustable bed base offering with the addition of two new models and is expanding its sleep accessories lineup with four pillow collections. Priced to retail at $2,099 and $2,899 in queen size, the new bases […]
Ante4autism Charity Poker Tournament Moves to August
The 13th annual Ante4autism charity poker tournament will be moved to late August to coincide with the Summer Las Vegas Market Aug. 22-26. A specific date, time and location for the event will be announced later, according to organizers, who say the rescheduling will allow more participants to receive the Covid-19 vaccine before attending. The charity […]
Survey: Americans More Interested in Clean Homes, Good Health
Habits formed during the coronavirus pandemic may last long after Covid-19 is under control Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, many Americans are eating better and cleaning their homes more deeply and frequently than before, according to a new survey. And they may very well maintain these new habits after the pandemic is controlled. Although the […]
Eclipse International Launching Fieldcrest Mattresses
Mattress manufacturer and licensing group Eclipse International, based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, has formed an exclusive partnership with the Iconix Brand Group Inc. to create and launch a 12-model mattress line under the Fieldcrest moniker. The collection will include both boxed and flat-packed mattresses. Retail pricing for the new mattress line will be from […]
Soft-Tex International Adds Plant in Texas
Bedding and sleep accessories supplier Soft-Tex International Inc., based in Waterford, New York, has opened a new facility in Sugar Land, Texas. According to a news release, the new facility will provide an immediate improvement in overall shipping efficiency and double the company’s production capacity for fiber-filled products and add hundreds of new jobs over […]
Synchrony, Ashley HomeStore Extend Financing Program Agreement
Synchrony, a consumer financial services company based in Stamford, Connecticut, and Ashley HomeStore Ltd., a home furnishings company headquartered in Arcadia, Wisconsin, have announced a multiyear extension of their consumer financing program agreement, which began in 2010. Synchrony offers Ashley HomeStore customers competitive financing, subject to credit approval, for purchases made online or at the nearly 500 Ashley HomeStores across the United States, according to a news […]
Forecast: Retail Ready to Rock ’n’ Roll in 2021
Sales could grow as much as 8.2% as vaccines get into arms and people venture out more As more Americans get vaccinated and the economy continues to reopen, U.S. retail sales are expected to grow between 6.5% and 8.2% in 2021, reaching $4.33 trillion to $4.4 trillion dollars, according to a new forecast from the […]
Diamond Mattress Relaunches Royal Sleep Products
Manufacturer purchased the brand in 2019, has made major upgrades Diamond Mattress has relaunched Royal Sleep Products, which it acquired in 2019, after making major investments in manufacturing, business systems, and product strategy and development, according to a news release. By upgrading equipment, implementing lean manufacturing processes and restructuring shipping, Royal Sleep has expanded capacity […]
Corsicana Mattress Building New Factory, HQ
$22 million facility will improve efficiencies Corsicana Mattress is investing $22 million to build a new 376,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing facility in Corsicana, Texas, according to a news release. The facility, scheduled to open in September, will include upgraded manufacturing equipment, corporate headquarters, training center, product showroom and innovation lab. When open, it is expected […]
Shifman Mattress Upgrades its American Heritage Line
Luxury producer boosts marketing support for the 10-bed collection Shifman Mattresses, a luxury bedding producer based in Newark, New Jersey, has “significantly upgraded” the marketing support for its 10-bed American Heritage collection to help retailers promote the line, according to a news release. The comprehensive marketing program includes co-op money for print, radio, TV and […]
PureCare Rounds Out Top-of-Bed Line with Duvets
New offerings include duvet inserts and covers, plus matching pillow shams PureCare, a sleep accessories specialist based in Phoenix, has launched its first duvet collection, rounding out a product line that also includes sheets, pillows, protectors and weighted blankets. According to a news release, the company now offers lightweight and medium-weight duvet inserts, duvet covers […]
Mattress Mack Opens Gallery Furniture Stores as Shelters
Owner of the mattress and furniture retailer is known for his philanthropy in Houston Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, owner of three Gallery Furniture stores in the Houston area opened two of them as warming stations and shelters during the February winter storm that paralyzed most of Texas, according to news reports. Unusually heavy snow and […]
Mattress Firm Teams Up with SleepScore Labs
Partnership will create an “integrated sleep improvement program” for consumers Retail chain Mattress Firm and SleepScore Labs are partnering to create “the first integrated sleep improvement program” by using an extensive SleepScore data set to help match consumers with the right sleep set. Specifically, the arrangement will “leverage insights from SleepScore Labs’ unique evidence-based sleep […]
Brooklyn Bedding Breaks Ground on New HQ, Plant
Arizona facility will triple the manufacturer and retailer’s production capacity Mattress manufacturer and retailer Brooklyn Bedding broke ground on a new manufacturing plant and corporate headquarters Feb. 17. The new 650,000-square-foot facility will sit on more than 40 acres in Glendale, Arizona, in the Phoenix area and is expected to be completed in December, according […]
Spring Air’s Northeast Licensee Moving Into New Facility
One-story factory will enhance efficiencies to better serve retail customers U.S. Bedding, Spring Air International’s Northeast licensee, will relocate its factory in Fall River, Massachusetts, to a nearby new facility in the first quarter of this year. The company is moving from a three-story facility to a 136,000-square-foot, one-story factory that will enhance efficiencies, improve […]
Intellibed Expanding Retail Reach
Intellibed, a producer of mattresses and sleep solution technologies based in Salt Lake City, is placing its products in Furnitureland South and Mathis Brothers, according to a news release. “It’s an exciting time for Intellibed — we are expanding our retail footprint faster now than at any point in our company’s history,” said Colin House, chief […]
Mlily Opens New U.S. Warehouse
Mattress and pillow producer Mlily USA has opened a 115,000-square-foot distribution center in Andersonville, Tennessee, replacing a nearby site in Loudon, Tennessee. “Our growth plan for the next three years is ambitious and to maintain our trajectory, we need efficient, well-run facilities to effectively manage our expansion,” said Mlily President Stephen Chen. “This facility is […]
Bedding Industries of America Opening West Coast Plant
The flagship licensee of mattress licensing group Eclipse International, Bedding Industries of America, will open a new 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, showroom and distribution center in Rialto, California, on April 1. BIA West will employ 120 and serve retailers in California, Nevada and parts of Arizona. According to Stuart Carlitz, BIA principal and president and chief […]
King Koil Now at Best Mattress
King Koil has secured placements at Las Vegas-based retailer Best Mattress. The 22-store chain is flooring three of the Avondale, Arizona-based manufacturer’s collections — Intimate, Luxury and Smartlife. Best Mattress is King Koil’s third new retail customer in the final quarter of 2020. The store’s King Koil assortment will retail from $999 to $4,999, and […]
New Book Offers Tips to Brick and Mortar
Mattress industry veterans Mark Kinsley and Mark Quinn have co-authored a book for brick-and-mortar mattress retailers, “Come Back to Bed: Attract More Foot Traffic and Make People Fall in Love With Your Store.” As the title suggests, it’s a guidebook for helping retailers differentiate their retail brand, form lasting customer relationships and drive foot traffic […]
Katapult Names New Head of Product
Katapult, a New York-based provider of e-commerce point-of-sale purchase options for nonprime U.S. consumers, announced that Devjit Basu has joined the company as head of product. Basu leads the product team to invent, define and build products that create new opportunities for retailers to capture a new customer segment, according to a news release. Basu has more […]
MRC’s Paris Gholston Joins WithIt Board
Women’s leadership development network keeps most of 2020 board in place for 2021 Paris Gholston, industry communications specialist for the Mattress Recycling Council, has been named to the board of WithIt, where she will serve as vice president of scholarship. MRC manages the state-mandated recycling programs in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island. WithIt is a […]
Therapedic Holding Virtual Winter Market
Retailers can’t wait until a spring show for new products, company says Licensing group Therapedic International is hosting its own virtual winter market — a decision made after the Las Vegas Market moved its winter show from the usual January time frame to mid-April. “When the Las Vegas Market was postponed, we sent a film […]
Conn’s Taking HomePlus to Tampa
Retailer plans to open two new stores in the coastal Florida market this winter Conn’s Inc., a retailer of furniture, mattresses, appliances and electronics based in Houston, plans to open two Conn’s HomePlus stores in the Tampa, Florida, area this winter. The new stores will be in the Horizon Park shopping center at 3908 W. […]
Annual Ante4Autism Poker Tournament Moves to April 13
The charity event will shift along with Las Vegas Market dates; participants will take Covid-19 safety precautions The 13th annual Ante4Autism event will be held Tuesday, April 13, at the Golden Nugget Grand Event Center in Las Vegas. The charity event draws participants, sponsors, supporters and attendees from the furniture and mattress industries and raises […]
ISPA Forecast: Declines in 2020, Modest Gains in 2021, 2022
The U.S. mattress industry is expected to see declines in both the dollar value and number of units shipped in 2020, according to the latest forecast from the International Sleep Products Association. The forecast, released in November, expects the number of units (mattresses and foundations) shipped in 2020 to decrease 4.5% over 2019 levels, and […]
Make Your Holiday Sales Season Jolly
Now is the time to get your website, store and stock of sleep products ready for consumers seeking great gifts For retailers, this holiday season could shape up to be a surprisingly festive one. Despite the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, an early survey of consumers’ holiday shopping plans indicates Americans expect to […]
Katapult Removes Late Fees As Part of a Consumer-Centric Focus
NEW YORK, Oct. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Katapult, the leading omnichannel payment platform providing lease-purchase solutions, today announced it will no longer charge consumers late fees on late lease payments as part of its consumer-centric focus. Katapult remains focused on a consumer-centric experience that, in turn, gives merchants a lease-to-own payment solution they can trust for their customers. […]
ISPA, MRC Switch to Indigenous Peoples Day
Industry groups stop marking Columbus Day in October. As a retailer, will you follow suit? Fourteen hundred ninety-twoColumbus sailed the ocean blue.He had three ships and left from Spain;He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain… Many Americans recited that nursery rhyme as children. But as with so many things we learn as kids, the story […]
Marijuana for Sleep Could Backfire
A recent study concludes that using a lot of weed as a teenager can boost the risk of insomnia as an adult Some people rely on marijuana to help them fall asleep. In fact, in a 2018 survey of 1,000 users in Colorado, 74% said they use it as a sleep aid, according to an […]
Retailers Get Ready
Survey shows the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t disruptedconsumer holiday shopping plans Despite the impact of COVID-19, shoppers do not plan to significantly change their holiday spending, compared with 2019 (remember 2019?), according to a survey released July 8 by Radial Inc., a multinational e-commerce company based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. However, the data did reveal […]
“A New Path Forward”
Jeff Giagnocavo of Gardner’s Mattress & More co-authors book to help independent retailers succeed when facing tough competition “Independent mattress store owners deserve to get the best customers with the best profits with the least headaches,” says Jeff Giagnocavo, co-owner of Gardner’s Mattress & More in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who has co-authored the new book, “7 […]
Who Is That Masked Retail Associate?
Face coverings are now part of our attire. Here are tips for keeping your employees and customers safely covered Forget cool boots and tweedy jackets. The hot accessory for autumn looks like it will be a face covering — just as it was in the spring and summer. With the novel coronavirus still spreading, the […]
Millennials: Your Time Has Come
BSC survey reveals there’s a new generation taking the mattress buyer’s journey — and they are approaching 40. Learn to satisfy their bedding needs without excluding their predecessors Editor’s note: As part of the strategic plan of the International Sleep Products Association to provide knowledge and data to members of the bedding community, the Better […]
Therapedic Delivers First Virtual Market Direct to Retailers
The top 10 producer introduces summer collections digitally in lieu of Vegas Market attendance PRINCETON, N.J. – Therapedic International will launch its first virtual showroom tour to introduce new collections in lieu of exhibiting at the Las Vegas Summer Market this month. The top 10 bedding producer will provide retailers access to videos of the […]
Tips to Combat Insomnia and the Munchies
Having a hard time sleeping during the hard times we are experiencing? Consider these suggestions to be well-rested and less stressed For a number of people, the chronic stress of the coronavirus pandemic has made sleep a little harder to come by. And poor sleep often leads to poor eating habits, according to a March […]
White Mask Delivery
How coronavirus is changing the way retailers deliver and set up beds in customers’ homes It’s been a selling point for many brick-and-mortar retailers to offer free, white-glove delivery of new bed sets to their customers’ homes. But with everyone worried more than ever about germs, you may need to rethink how you deliver mattresses […]
Irregular Sleep: A Health Hazard
Older adults with irregular sleep patterns — meaning they have no regular bedtime and wake-up schedule, or they get different amounts of sleep each night — are nearly twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease as those with more regular sleep patterns, according to a new study funded in part by the National Heart, Lung […]
Nap Time
Tired of someone kicking the back of your seat during a flight? Or tired but can’t rest in economy class? Air New Zealand has the answer: sleeping pods. If we told you sleeper beds might soon be available even when you fly economy, you’d have one question: What’s the catch? Are they in cargo? Are […]
BEDDING MARKET QUARTERLY
Bedding Market Slumped in 2019. Total unit shipments of mattresses, as well as stationary and motion foundations, from U.S. producers and imports rose 2.2% in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared with the same three-month period in 2018, according to Bedding Market Quarterly, a sales trend report published by the International Sleep Products Association. The […]
It’s Coming! Are You Ready?
May is Better Sleep Month, and the Better Sleep Council has a variety of adventures planned to help your customers get a good night’s sleep. The Better Sleep Council, the consumer education arm of the International Sleep Products Association, is preparing for Better Sleep Month this May with a variety of activities planned to help […]
Surface Story: How Long Does Coronavirus Stick Around?
Understanding how long the coronavirus lives on surfaces can help you keep your store and products clean and safe for consumers Note: This article was accurate, to the best of our knowledge, at the time it was published. However, information about the novel coronavirus and the nation’s response to the pandemic change rapidly. Check CDC.gov […]
At Las Vegas Market: Decisions, Decisions!
Vendors expanded showrooms, extended lines and unveiled a wealth of new products that made buyers’ choices tough For trade journalists covering the Winter Las Vegas Market Jan. 26-30, the scene in the World Market Center was ideal — not so busy that vendors didn’t have time to talk about their introductions and filled with plenty […]
Foam Home
National survey finds consumers willing to pay more for certified foam, confirms the importance of a comfortable mattress with quality materials for a good night’s sleep Nine out of 10 recent or upcoming mattress buyers are more likely to purchase a mattress that contains CertiPUR-US-certified flexible polyurethane foam, according to benchmark research conducted through an […]
“We’re Open — and Sanitized!”
Follow these guidelines for keeping your team healthy, your store hygienic and your customers comfortable shopping for sleep products during the COVID-19 outbreak The novel coronavirus is causing illness and death, wreaking havoc with the economy — and challenging us all to come up with new songs to sing to ourselves as we wash our […]
What’s That Sound?
From creating an acoustic logo to advertising on podcasts, it’s time to tune up your company’s audio identity. Listen up! With the popularity of sound-centered media such as podcasts and music-streaming services, and the increasing prevalence of voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home, you need a distinctive audio identity that works in harmony with […]
Millennials Drive Retail Growth
Survey reveals Gen Y are likely to make a major purchase in the next six months. Has the decline of retail been exaggerated? The answer is yes, according to TD Bank’s Retail Experience Index, a biannual survey that tracks consumers’ purchasing habits, focusing on big-ticket items of $500 or more. The survey, released Jan. 24 […]
The Mattress Buyer’s Journey
New research from the Better Sleep Council suggests that how consumers shop for a mattress may affect how well they sleep. While one-touch, in-the-moment online shopping may be all the rage, new research from the Better Sleep Council, the consumer education arm of the International Sleep Products Association, indicates that people who go “old school” […]
Slowing Down the Revolving Door
Does your store suffer from high turnover? Results from a 2019 survey reveal the top 3 factors that lead employees to call it quits. Holy Moses! Why is your store experiencing such an exodus? Excuse the pun — high employee turnover is no laughing matter. If you’re seeing high turnover rates, it may be time […]
Disappearing Act
Has a job candidate ever ghosted you? In other words, has a strong prospective employee pulled a no-show during the hiring process? Here are 3 ways to minimize the risk. The Urban Dictionary describes ghosting as “the act of suddenly ceasing all communication with someone the subject is dating, but no longer wishes to date.” […]
Secret Shopper: Going to Extremes in California
The search for a new mattress leaves a couple feeling at times unsatisfied — and even ignored For this issue’s Undercover, we sent a middle-aged couple out to shop for a new bed for the master bedroom of their new home in Southern California. The husband and wife own a 10-year-old mattress set purchased from […]
More Sleep, Better Decision-Making
A recent series of studies suggest well-rested entrepreneurs analyze venture executive summaries better than those who sleep less Entrepreneurs are notorious for burning the midnight oil to get their fledgling businesses off the ground. However, a series of studies by Jeffry Gish, assistant professor of management at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, […]
True Blue
Pantone has selected Classic Blue as the 2020 Color of the Year. The hue (Pantone 19-4052) is “a reassuring presence instilling calm, confidence and connection,” the Carlstadt, New Jersey-based color authority says. “Suggestive of the sky at dusk, the reassuring qualities of the thought-provoking Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue highlight our desire for a dependable and stable […]
Rich Man, Poor Man
Are you trying to decide if people are rich or poor? Forget about judging them by their clothes. Simply look at their face, research shows You can’t always judge a book by its cover, but can you tell whether a person is wealthy simply by looking at their face? Actually, you can — and with […]
The Buzz That Was
Looking for a refreshing way to start the new year? Clean up your vocabulary by sweeping away tired jargon and shirking the slang In today’s busy-bee society, even the best buzzwords eventually lose their sting. And so it is that we bid farewell to the 15 buzzwords that Inc.com’s Max Totsky said must go in […]
8 Customer Service Resolutions
To make this your best year, care for and appreciate the consumers who keep you in business If your goals for the new year include selling more mattresses, boosting your average ticket, opening new stores, expanding e-commerce or improving profits (and what retailer’s goals don’t include one or more of those?), start with strengthening your […]
Las Vegas Ante4Autism 2020 Poker Tournament Around the Corner
The 12th annual Ante4Autism Poker Tournament will take place at 7 p.m., Jan. 25 at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino’s Grand Event Center, on the eve of Las Vegas Market. The fundraiser supports autism spectrum disorder advocacy, education and research. The event attracts donations and support from across the furniture and bedding industry and […]
And They’re Off: Consumers Rush Into Holiday Shopping
A record number of consumers shopped in-store and online over long Thanksgiving weekend This year’s holiday shopping season got off to a strong start with a record 189.6 million U.S. consumers shopping from Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday through Cyber Monday, according to a Dec. 3 news release from the Washington, D.C.-based National Retail Federation […]
The Sleep-Work Connection
New Better Sleep Council research reveals how employment can negatively affect slumber and what workers can do to avoid sleepless nights Americans aren’t sleeping enough. And those with a job seem to have a harder time getting good rest than others. That’s the latest findings from the State of America’s Sleep study commissioned by the […]
Great Expectations: Holiday Shopping Forecast
The International Council of Shopping Centers forecasts total holiday spending to reach $832.3 billion, with 90% of shoppers spending in physical stores The New York-based International Council of Shopping Centers forecasts a 4.9% increase in holiday spending over last year for a total of $832.3 billion. The average adult is anticipated to spend $683 on […]
How to Write a Great About Us Page For Your Website
Who Are You? Who, Who? Here’s how to craft an About Us page that conveys your store’s personality and connects with consumers If done right, your About Us webpage should be much more than a store biography. It should give consumers a reason to buy from you. A well-written About Us page is the ideal […]
New Law Expands Mattress Recycling in California
State adds futons to recycling program and will require internet retailers to pick up customers’ discarded mattresses Under new amendments to the state’s mattress recycling law, California is expanding its mattress recycling program to include futons. For the mattress industry, this means manufacturers, distributors and retailers selling futons to California end users must register with […]
Adult Entertainment
Want to add a little levity to your workweek? Classic childhood games can put some pep in your step and a smile on your face via GIPHY What happens when otherwise sane, well-adjusted retail sales associates decide to revisit their childhood and play games such as kickball, dodgeball and hopscotch? Well, in addition to the […]
Is Payday Going Out of Style?
Global survey finds employees want greater speed, security and flexibility in receiving pay, and prefer employers who care about their financial wellness As the world of work continues to evolve, a new survey by the ADP Research Institute, with headquarters in Roseland, New Jersey, has identified a growing demand for new payment options. In a […]
Need a Good Laugh?
Entries into Sleep Savvy’s cartoon caption contest are in, and, wow, do we have some hilarious quips and puns in store for you In the July/August issue of Sleep Savvy, we published this cartoon (see below) and invited readers to write a caption, submit it to the magazine and show off their wit. The staff […]
Get a Grip on Great Handshakes
A firm, friendly handshake can help retail sales associates make an instant connection with shoppers It’s one of the most famous handshakes in cinematic history: actor Tim Matheson glad-handing his way through the Delta Tau Chi fraternity house in “National Lampoon’s Animal House” saying, “Hi. Eric Stratton, rush chairman. Damn glad to meet you.” Funny, […]
Don’t Worry, Sleep Happy
Those who see the glass as half full, not half empty, tend to have a sunnier view of life. Now, researchers have found, they sleep better, too. The multiyear study, led by Rosalba Hernandez, professor of social work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, included more than 3,500 people ages 32 to 51 living […]
Sleep by the Numbers
How well are you and your customers resting? Check out the following statistics … you might be surprised The discipline of statistics offers a variety of insights into American consumers — how they spend their time, how much they value rest, and what keeps them awake at night. The following three recent surveys caught our […]
Stress, Pain and Money — Oh My!
Better Sleep Council research uncovers the factors that keep people awake and help them nod off Sleep is a wonderful, revitalizing and sometimes elusive thing. What makes it easy for some people to snooze and difficult for others? The Better Sleep Council, the consumer-education arm of the International Sleep Products Association, has identified several factors […]
Organizing Principles
Autumn is the perfect time to declutter. We give you tips for clearing out and cleaning up your store after a busy summer While spring is the traditional time for deep cleaning, mattress retailers can benefit from getting in the habit of tidying up and decluttering their stores every autumn. You’ve just completed a successful […]
Secret Shopper: The Good, the Bad and the Buggy
In this issue’s installment, our secret shoppers — a senior couple living along the Gulf Coast — visit three stores for new mattresses and generally have enjoyable experiences. Here’s why Every day as a mattress retailer, you help couples find a mattress that will give each person the support and comfort necessary for a good […]
Products and Programs for Success
In issues of Sleep Savvy distributed at the Summer Las Vegas Market, we offered advertisers an opportunity to showcase their new or most successful products and services. For more information, click each ad to visit the advertiser’s website.
It Is Easy Bein’ Green
Making simple changes can reduce your store’s environmental footprint and reduce your costs, too The first Earth Day was nearly 50 years ago and today, virtually everyone participates to some extent in the three Rs — reduce, reuse, recycle. Doing so helps cut the amount of stuff we send to landfills, decreases our energy use […]
Growth Ahead for Bedding Sector
ISPA’s most recent forecast predicts increases in the total U.S. market for mattresses and stationary foundations in 2019 and 2020 Editor’s note: The International Sleep Products Association’s econometric model has been updated to provide two forecasts for mattresses and stationary foundations. The first forecast measures unit shipments and dollar value for the total U.S. mattress […]
Speak the Language
Smart RSAs know their body language is as important as the words they speak to customers. Remember these 5 tips to make sure your verbal and nonverbal communication are complementary Maybe you speak perfect English, but there’s a second language you need to be fluent in for your career as a retail sales associate and […]
Changing Lanes
If you’re looking for ways to drive consumers from shopping online to walking through your doors, follow these best practices for shifting your web traffic to store traffic What do you do when your web traffic is hopping but your store doors aren’t swinging? Use your website to drive consumers into your stores! One easy […]
Social Media Use Remains Steady
Survey shows that even after concerns about privacy, fake news and censorship, U.S. adults’ use of social media is the same as in early 2018 In 2018, Facebook Seemed to be involved in controversy after controversy — improperly sharing data with Cambridge Analytica, a September security breach and disseminating “fake news,” just to name a […]
More Than a Mattress
Want to express your appreciation to shoppers? Thoughtful leave-behind gifts will make a lasting impression with your customers “You get a car! And you get a car! And you get a car!” Oprah Winfrey made a lasting impression on her daytime talk show audience on the day she doled out all those new vehicles. Heck, […]
Exhausted? You’re Not Alone
Annual survey analyzes how well — or poorly — the world is sleeping and what, if anything, adults are doing about it Here’s a universal observation about sleep: Most adults around the world are worn out but don’t do much to help the situation. In fact, according to the findings from a recent annual global […]
Men and Women Search for Jobs Differently
How do women and men differ when looking for jobs? LinkedIn, a business and employment-oriented website with headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, released its Gender Insight Report in March to answer just that question. Based on interactions between companies and job candidates and recruiters on its site, the report noted: Men and women are equally open […]
U.S. Mattress Sales Drop in 4th Quarter
U.S. mattress sales slid in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with the same three-month period in 2017, according to Bedding Market Quarterly, a sales trends report published by the International Sleep Products Association. Fourth-quarter sales of mattresses and stationary foundations decreased 15.5%, while wholesale values of those shipments dropped 9.2%, compared with the same […]
Oh, My Aching Back
Retail sales associates should try these tips to ease the aches and pains that come with working on your feet While we know sitting all day isn’t healthy, standing all day isn’t much better — as retail sales associates are well aware. Not only does it hurt your back, cause fatigue and stiffen muscle, constant […]
“Sleep Like a Kid”
To celebrate May’s Better Sleep Month, the Better Sleep Council kicks off PR campaign to share sleep advice through the eyes of children This May, the Better Sleep Council, the consumer-education arm of the International Sleep Products Association, is taking a renewed look at sleep — through the eyes of the world’s best sleepers — […]
Commercial Volume Pickup Launches
MRC increases California retailers’ access to no-cost recycling with program providing containers, transportation and recycling of discarded mattresses This month, California retailers can begin requesting pickup of their used bedding units through the Mattress Recycling Council’s Bye Bye Mattress program. The new Commercial Volume Pickup Program provides no-cost containers, transportation and recycling of the discarded […]
Manufacturers Help Mattress Retailers Compete
Bedding brands simplify step-ups, reduce opening price points, make adjustables irresistible By Barbara T. Nelles and Beth English Retailers found plenty of Winter Las Vegas Market bedding news as they trooped through the halls of the World Market Center, Jan. 27-31. Traffic tapered off on Monday afternoon, probably due to a polar vortex, which spread […]
How to Show Customers You Care
Do your shoppers know you appreciate them? Sleep Savvy shares 7 ways to show the people who keep you in business how much you care about them Customer care is one way to take customer appreciation to the next level, letting shoppers know that you not only appreciate their business, but appreciate them as people, […]
Mature Employees Wanted
In a tight job market, consider hiring workers at or past retirement age. You’ll be surprised by the strengths they bring Are you looking for enthusiastic employees who are creative and innovative? Nope, we’re not talking about millennials; we’re referring to their parents and grandparents — baby boomers. Although Generation Y is the largest demographic […]
What Keeps Teenagers Up at Night?
It’s not Instagram. According to the Better Sleep Council, it’s homework, which impedes their sleep and tanks their school performance According to research from the Better Sleep Council, the nonprofit consumer-education arm of the International Sleep Products Association, homework — rather than social pressure — is the No. 1 cause of teenage stress, negatively affecting […]
NRF Forecasts Strong Retail Growth in 2019
Expected gains of 4.4% following a strong 4.6% increase posted in 2018 Retail sales in 2019 will increase between 3.8% and 4.4% to more than $3.8 trillion, according to the Washington, D.C.-based National Retail Federation. The forecast, released in February, comes despite threats from an ongoing trade war, a volatile stock market and the effects […]
Puppy Love
New research suggests women may sleep better with dogs in the bed rather than with human partners A dog may be a man’s best friend, but a dog is a woman’s best sleeping companion, according to a study. The study, published in Anthrozoös and conducted by Christy L. Hoffman, associate professor and anthrozoology program director […]
ISPA Releases New Industry Forecast
Analysis projects drop in sales in 2018, followed by modest growth in 2019 and 2020 When final numbers are tallied, the U.S. mattress industry is expected to see declines in the dollar value and number of units shipped in 2018, according to the latest forecast from the International Sleep Products Association. The forecast, released in […]
Secret Shopper: The More Things Change …
Our secret shopper gives three retailers in the Southeast mixed reviews. While she found an appealing selection of products, customer service and store design left something to be desired Sleep Savvy thinks 2019 is a perfect year to revive our secret shopper feature, sending consumers out around the country to see how mattress retailers are […]
New Products
For more information, click each ad to visit the advertiser’s website.
New Year’s Resolutions for RSAs
Pick a goal to reach and make this your best year ever in mattress sales This year, we want every mattress retail sales associate to be successful and satisfied at work, so we’ve compiled a list of new year’s resolutions for RSAs. Choose one — or, if you’re feeling especially ambitious, two — and get […]
Treats From the Autumn High Point Show
BY BETH ENGLISH AND BARBARA T. NELLES New lines, fresh looks, streamlined displays and more dotted the bedding showrooms at North Carolina’s biannual event and even a hurricane couldn’t keep us away. The Fall High Point Market Oct. 13-17 in High Point, North Carolina, was punctuated by Hurricane Michael barreling into the Florida panhandle and […]
Fill Those Online Shopping Carts to the Rim
Add-on sales make e-commerce more profitable Getting customers to click “Buy now” on your e-commerce site is great — and it’s even better if their online shopping cart is chock full of sleep products when they are ready to check out. Increasing the average order value online is much like growing the average sales ticket […]
MRC Launches “Retailer Take-Back” Program
Autumn campaign encourages consumers in California to ask retailers to take back used mattresses The Mattress Recycling Council has launched the 2018 “Retailer Take-Back” campaign, designed to encourage consumers to ask their local retailer to take back used mattresses when purchasing a new one. The eight-week campaign debuted Oct. 1 in targeted markets throughout California. […]
Giving Thanks
6 ways to show your customers how much you value them Without customers, you have no business. It’s as simple as that. Given this fact, it’s nice to go beyond the “thank you” you offer as shoppers head out the store door post-purchase or click “Place Order.” There are a number of meaningful ways you […]
An Attitude of Gratitude
10 quotes to inspire a practice of thankfulness With Thanksgiving near, now is a perfect time to take stock of your life and be grateful for all that you have. Professional blessings can include everything from your business or job to your colleagues and customers. Some people have started an annual practice of publicly giving […]
Electronics Made Me Do It
National poll reveals 43% of parents say their teen has trouble sleeping; social media and cellphones cited as top reasons It’s no secret that many teenagers stay up late to scroll through social media or catch up with friends on their phones. In fact, 56% of parents of teens who have trouble sleeping say the […]
Warning Signs of a Terrible Applicant
Employers share the most outrageous resume mistakes, lies and instant deal breakers in new survey Employers are feeling the heat of the tight labor market as they struggle to find qualified candidates to fill open jobs. While job seekers are getting their attention, it’s often for the wrong reasons. A recent national survey by the […]
Mattress Recycling Council and Bye Bye Mattress Launch ‘Retailer Take-Back’ Campaign
Mattress Recycling Council News Release Campaign encourages consumers to ask retailers to take back used mattresses when purchasing new mattresses or box springs SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Mattress Recycling Council today announced the launch of the 2018 “Retailer Take-Back” campaign, designed to encourage consumers to ask their local retailer to take back used mattresses when […]
7 Stores That Foretell the Future of Retail
From stores that constantly reinvent themselves to retailers that use facial recognition software, these are bold companies The future of retail includes ice cream sprinkles and next-day home delivery. The insights come from Jeremy Bowman, who recently compiled a list of seven innovative retailers for the Motley Fool’s website. Story: Shoppers never know exactly what […]
Investing in a new way to pay
Consumers like the convenience and safety of using mobile wallets — and they have benefits for retailers, too After you’ve sold a customer on a new mattress set, you want to make the payment process easy. Accepting shoppers’ mobile wallets can help with that — and may be a requirement among consumers in the future. […]
Forecast: Holiday Shopping Season Will Be Jolly
NRF Predicts Retail Sales Will Rise 4.3% or More in November and December Holiday sales this year are expected to increase between 4.3% and 4.8% over 2017 levels, according to a new forecast from the National Retail Federation, a Washington, D.C.-based trade group. Those numbers compare to an average annual increase of 3.9% in the […]
Summer Refresh
BY BARBARA T. NELLES AND BETH ENGLISH Slower show meant less rush — and plenty of rest-testing and pillow squeezing It was a typical Summer Las Vegas Market in that traffic was slower — possibly the slowest we’ve seen — and product introductions were far fewer than during the winter show in January. But retailers […]
Emails Elicit All the Feels
They can annoy recipients but also remain an effective marketing vehicle We know a lot of email goes unread, but a new survey shows marketing messages still can be effective. For the fourth year, Adobe surveyed 1,000 office workers about their email habits and their feelings about the communication vehicle. When it comes to marketing […]
No Word-of-Mouth With Empty Wallets
Study finds shoppers don’t want to talk about recent purchases when they feel financially constrained Whether it is two friends talking or a consumer writing an online review, you want people to speak highly of your products. So, we noted with interest research that suggests consumers are reluctant to talk about recent purchases when they […]
Poor sleep can lead to unhealthy eating
A recent study finds link between sleep loss, nighttime snacking, junk food cravings and obesity Nighttime snacking and a craving for junk food may contribute to unhealthy eating behaviors and represent a link between poor sleep and obesity, according to a recent study from Tucson-based University of Arizona Health Sciences. The study was conducted via […]
Bedding Market Quarterly: U.S. Mattress Sales Drop in 2nd Quarter
U.S. mattress sales fell again in the second quarter of 2018, compared with the same three-month period last year, according to Bedding Market Quarterly, a sales trend report published by the International Sleep Products Association. Sales of mattresses and foundations fell 7.9% and wholesale revenues decreased 3.5%, compared with the same quarter in 2017. The average […]
Understanding sleep difficulties
BY DR. REBECCA ROBBINS While sleep disorders should be treated by a medical professional, this cheat sheet of common sleep problems can help you help your customers Retail sales associates know all too well that sleep complaints or difficulties often are what bring customers into a store for a new mattress. But what about those […]
Marking spring in High Point
BY BETH ENGLISH AND BARBARA T. NELLES Visitors to the latest furniture show in High Point, North Carolina, were treated to looks to freshen floors The High Point Market April 14-18 in High Point, North Carolina, offered a mix of spring weather—sunny days, afternoon rainstorms and temperature swings, not to mention a tornado in nearby […]
Product Showcase
Leggett & Platt Inc. 1 Leggett Road Carthage, MO 64836 417-358-8131 mark.kinsley@leggett.com LPBeddingComponents.com A weak mattress edge leaves a bad first impression and can kill a sale. Research shows the edge of a mattress comes up during 93% of sales interactions. Leggett & Platt Inc.’s ActivEdge™—a groundbreaking solution for the problem of weak foam encasement— […]
As temps rise, mattress shoppers will appreciate these chill beds
With summer heating up, mattress retailers can keep their customers cool by offering a selection of mattresses that wick away moisture and keep the sleep surface cool to the touch. We’ve rounded up mattress introductions from the most recent furniture markets in Las Vegas and High Point, North Carolina. All of these beds are designed […]
How to get a cool night’s sleep in a heat wave
Much of the country has been suffering through a heat wave and when it lifts, we’re still facing the hottest time of the year: July and August. Even with the air conditioning running full blast at home and office, it can be hard after a day in and out of the heat to cool your […]
Malouf and Supima partner to sponsor New York Fashion Week getaway contest
News release written by Malouf and published, unedited, by Sleep Savvy (Logan, Utah) – Two premium bedding brands are coming together to tout the beauty and comfort of luxury cotton. Utah-based bedding accessories maker Malouf is sponsoring a sales contest that will send one lucky winner on a New York getaway. The trip comes with two tickets […]
ISPA report: Motion base sales are on the rise
Sales of adjustable bases are going up, up, up—a bright spot for the sleep products industry at a time when unit sales of mattresses and flat foundations have been dipping. Unit sales of adjustables grew significantly in the first quarter of 2018, compared with the same period of 2017, according to the ISPA Motion Foundations […]
Men more likely than women to buy big-ticket items online shopping
More than one-quarter of online shoppers have bought a big-ticket item, but men are more likely than women to drop big bucks while doing digital commerce, according to an NPR/Marist Poll released June 7 (NPR/Marist Poll complete findings PDF) The poll found that 27% of shoppers have spent $1,000 or more online, but men (36%) […]
Cost of sleepiness too pricey to ignore
PR campaign encourages employers to educate employees about the dangers of sleeplessness and its impact on workplace safety, productivity and health Getting insufficient sleep and working while fatigued have become commonplace in the modern 24/7 world, with more than 37% of workers sleep deprived. Overworked and overtired employees experience cognitive declines and present employers with […]
How to respond to sexual harassment at work
Survey finds 72% of employees who experience unwanted advances do not report the incidents As accusations of sexual misconduct at work continue to rise, it’s not surprising CareerBuilder.com, an employment services website, commissioned a survey on the topic. The survey, conducted online in late 2017, found that the majority of those who said they had […]
No signature required
Because of more secure financial technologies, credit card companies no longer require consumers to sign on the dotted line Good news, retailers: Credit card signatures on sales transaction receipts are going the way of rotary phones, floppy disks and eight-track tapes. Four major credit card companies—American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa—no longer require customers to […]
Mattress sales stumble in first quarter but are expected to regain footing
U.S. mattress sales dipped in the first quarter of 2018, compared with the same three-month period in 2017, according to the Bedding Market Quarterly, a wholesale trends report published by the International Sleep Products Association. But the most recent ISPA forecast predicts sales will rebound and finish up for the year. Unit sales of mattresses […]
‘A Mini Field Guide to the Mattress Shopper’
The BSC and Sleep Savvy team up to create a fun, interactive infographic to give retailers insight into their customers and help generate more sales Looking for helpful, easy-to-understand information to gain insight into today’s consumers? The Better Sleep Council and Sleep Savvy have just the ticket for you. In May, this publication and the […]
Better Sleep Council research finds men earn bragging rights when it comes to bedtime performance, women fall short
Better Sleep Council news release ALEXANDRIA, VA – May 1, 2018 – Today the Better Sleep Council, the consumer education arm of the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA), released its findings from a new survey on America’s bedtime performance as it relates to sleep regimen, finding that men outperformed their female counterparts, but both have […]
Atlanta mattress shop has supporting role in TV series
An Atlanta-based mattress store has a cameo in the first episode of the Netflix reality series, Queer Eye, a reboot of the hit “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” The new series features the same format as its predecessor: A team of five gay guys sweeps into the life of a man in need of […]
Desperately seeking customer reviews
Experts in soliciting consumer testimonials say a key to earning praise is to ask early These days, mattress retailers crave rave online customer reviews and five-star ratings as much as swinging store doors because they know glowing testimonials help drive customers into their stores. How can you grow your business by accumulating all-important online customer […]
Mattress sales end year down
U.S. mattress sales (mattresses and foundations) fell 10.6% in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with the same quarter in 2016, and the wholesale dollar value of those shipments dropped 4.2%, according to the Bedding Market Quarterly, a quarterly sales report from the International Sleep Products Association (paywall). The average unit price for mattress sales […]
Americans not eager to spend tax refunds
Many of those expecting to get money back are earmarking it for savings or debt repayment This year, Americans are more inclined to hold onto their tax refunds than go on a spending spree, according to an annual survey from the Washington, D.C.-based National Retail Federation. “Tax return season is a time when consumers plan […]
Better Sleep Council kicks off Better Sleep Month campaign May 1
Better Sleep Council news release The attention-grabbing Better Sleep Month campaign, “Are You Better in Bed Than …?” tunes into sleep as a status symbol ALEXANDRIA, VA—April 3, 2018—As part of its ongoing effort to help consumers understand the importance of a good night’s sleep, the Better Sleep Council (BSC), the consumer-education arm of the […]
At the Las Vegas Market, hustle and bustle, plus hybrids aplenty
BY BARBARA T. NELLES AND BETH ENGLISH The latest crop of new beds unveiled at the Winter Las Vegas Market Jan. 28-Feb. 1 in Las Vegas were so inviting-looking, the editors of Sleep Savvy couldn’t resist pausing to rest-test a slew of them. Ahhh! We weren’t disappointed. But we didn’t nod off. Instead, we looked […]
Can’t sleep? Count your to-dos instead of sheep
Jotting down your to-do list for tomorrow can help you fall asleep more quickly tonight, according to researchers at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Researchers studied 57 university students, asking half the group to spend five minutes writing down what they needed to do the next day on a to-do list and asking the other […]
Why women are tuckered out
The list of reasons they can’t sleep is enough to keep anyone awake From stress to physical discomfort, a host of things are keeping women from getting a restorative full night of sleep, according to a survey from Thrive Global, a media and technology company focused on behavioral change founded by Arianna Huffington. The New […]
Home sharing is becoming more popular
One-third of American adults are participating in a trend called ‘doubling up’ Adult children moving back in with their parents. Parents living with their adult children. Friends or siblings cohabitation, or home sharing, as roommates. Whatever the configuration, the number of adults sharing a home with other adults with whom they aren’t romantically linked is […]
Help wanted: Retailers seek more workers for tech roles
With the continued rise in online and omnichannel shopping, retailers in the future will have less use for traditional staff like cashiers and even sales associates but more need for tech-savvy workers who can do everything from crunch data to manage websites. Experts in creating outstanding customer experiences also will be in high demand, says […]
Help your customers get ‘better in bed’ during Better Sleep Month
Better Sleep Council has attention-getting campaign planned for the annual PR effort in May The Better Sleep Council has a provocative, exciting campaign planned for this year’s Better Sleep Month in May. The “Are You Better in Bed Than…?” effort trumpets the idea that getting a good night’s sleep is something people should brag about. […]
Better Sleep Council introduces sleep blog
Content emphasizes the importance of sleep and quality sleep products The Better Sleep Council has launched a new, consumer-facing blog. The BSC blog, which is posted twice a month, offers content that can be used to spread the word about the importance of sleep and, ultimately, the importance of having quality sleep products. The BSC […]
National Retail Federation forecasts strong retail sales for 2018
Consumer confidence and a robust overall economy are among the driver U.S. retail sales are forecast to grow between 3.8% and 4.4% in 2018 over 2017, according to the latest forecast from the National Retail Federation. The Washington, D.C.-based group expects online and other nonstore sales, which are included in the overall number, to increase […]
Later school times could help economy
It’s no secret that teens love to stay up late and sleep in thanks to biological shifts in their sleep-wake cycles. For the past few years, organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association have recommended that high school and middle school start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. to accommodate […]
Winter wonderland of rest
Better Sleep Council survey reveals cold weather is the perfect time to sleep, snuggle and smooch A little more than half of Americans (51%) sleep more in the winter and 42% find winter the best sleeping season, according to a new survey from the Better Sleep Council, the nonprofit consumer-education arm of the International Sleep […]
U.S. mattress sales dip in third quarter of 2017
U.S. mattress sales dropped again in the third quarter of 2017, compared with the same three-month period of 2016, according to Bedding Market Quarterly, a sales trend report published by the International Sleep Products Association. Sales of mattresses and foundations fell 10.3% and wholesale revenues decreased 6.4%, compared with the same quarter in 2016. The […]