Dave Perry and Mary Helen Rogers wrap up a fun, high-energy Day 2 at Market reflecting on the strides that have been made in innovation, accessories and sustainability.
Las Vegas Market Day 1: High-end and Sustainability Make a Strong Showing
Dave Perry and Mary Helen Rogers discuss their first day at Market where energy is strong and new products abound.
Tom Wholley’s Personal Touch Wins at Connecticut Mattress
Retail veteran builds his business around honesty, integrity and a promise of “no-fear mattress shopping” To sell mattresses to his customers in Connecticut and surrounding states, retail veteran Tom Wholley first sells himself. And that is the easiest sale of his day. Wholley, the founder and owner of Connecticut Mattress by Tom Wholley, has been […]
Research Brings King-Size Good News
Consumer shift to larger mattresses would bring more comfort to consumers and more dollars to retailers There could be a king-size installment of good news in a big round of consumer research conducted for the Better Sleep Council, the consumer education arm of the International Sleep Products Association. The summary: More consumers are planning to […]
“Take 5 With Dave” — Hobson Offers 2022 Outlook
Industry consultant Mark Hobson tells us about his positive outlook for 2022, cites supply chain challenges, and says AW Industries is doing a ‘tremendous job’ with its Silentnight bedding line.
L&W Follows Time-Tested Recipe for Success
The factory-direct keeps the good old days of mattress making and personalized selling alive in the Quad Cities area By David Perry Photography by Todd Mizener/Quad-City Times L&W Bedding, with its factory that time forgot, could be in the running for the title of the nation’s smallest retailer. And it’s doing just fine, thank you. […]
“Take 5 With Dave” – Shifman on High-End Success
Shifman President Bill Hammer tells us about investing in High Point, the strength of the high-end bedding market, pursuing designer business, and how he sleeps.
“Take 5 With Dave” — Eclipse Writing Hemingway Success
Eclipse regional VP Steve Karns tells us about the need for compelling retail displays, bedding’s market share gains, and what Ernest Hemingway would think of Eclipse’s new Hemingway models.
Survey: Mattress Units Down Again in October, Dollars Up
Retailers expect more double-digit sales growth in rest of year, according to Piper Sandler report Mattress retail sales were up 15% in October, the fourth straight month of increases of 15% or higher, according to a new retail survey. And mattress retailers say they expect double-digit growth for the rest of the year. Piper Sandler’s […]
“Take 5 With Dave” — GhostBed On Driving Retail Traffic
GhostBed EVP Alan Hirschhorn tells us about showing in High Point, driving traffic to retail stores, and how family ties will bring a Venus Williams mattress line to the Las Vegas Market.
What Consumers Want to Know
When researching mattresses, shoppers look at price, promotions and reviews, according to survey Most consumers do research before they purchase a mattress — and that research is likely to include price comparisons. They also check promotions or sales, and read consumer reviews. Those are the three top sources of information consumers seek when they want […]
“Take 5 With Dave” — Magniflex USA Talks Boxed Beds
Silvia Galasso of Magniflex USA tells us that high-end beds can be shipped in boxes, reviews her company’s history in the boxed bed category, and says in-stock goods are driving success at Magniflex.
“Inside the Mind of the Mattress Shopper” – with BSC member Tim Witherell
Better Sleep Council member Tim Witherell, vice president/general manager of bedding at Hickory Springs, tells us why mattress shoppers now prefer brick-and-mortar retailers and predicts that cocooning will remain important in the new year in this segment of Inside the Mind of the Mattress Shopper. The series looks at the implications of BSC research during […]
September Mattress Sales Strong, Units Down, Survey Finds
Mattress sales growth was strong in September, but unit sales were down compared to the same month last year as the industry saw the impact of price inflation and a shift to premium goods, a new survey says. Piper Sandler’s September Mattress Retail Survey, which reflects the views of mattress retailers across the country, found […]
Bedding Returnees, Newcomers Add Spark in High Point
Five bedding producers joined the bedding contingent at the recent High Point Market, sparking talk of a sleep products comeback in the Furniture Capital of the World. Two of those new bedding exhibitors — Shifman Mattress and Mlily USA — had exhibited in High Point but took a break in recent markets. The newcomers — […]
“Take 5 With Dave” – Southerland Talks Bedding Challenges
Southerland Chief Executive Officer Bryan Smith tells us about the challenging bedding climate, what’s new at his company, and the education that the International Sleep Products Association provides to the industry.
BSC Survey: Covid-19 Resurgence Impacts Consumer Behavior
But shoppers are returning to brick-and-mortar stores and are interested in bedding products The Covid-19 resurgence fueled by the Delta variant has consumers reverting back to some attitudes and behaviors exhibited earlier in the pandemic, a new Better Sleep Council survey finds. The BSC’s third-quarter consumer tracker survey, “Inside the Mind of Today’s Mattress Consumer,” […]
“Inside the Mind of Today’s Mattress Shopper” – With the BSC’s Susan Mathes
Better Sleep Council vice chair Susan Mathes tells us why mattress shoppers continue to favor online shopping and looks at how consumers are sleeping in this segment of Inside the Mind of the Mattress Shopper. The series looks at the implications of BSC research during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Take 5 With Dave” – Spring Air’s Amazing Year
Spring Air President Nick Bates tells us why his licensing group is having a strong year, reflects on lessons learned during the pandemic, and gets personal on his sleep habits.
Journey of Discovery Awaits at Green Front Furniture
Revamped bedding department is a standout in a vast family-owned home furnishings complex in central Virginia Green Front Furniture serves notice to its prospective customers: A grand shopping adventure awaits, one that is not for the faint of heart. Shoppers will embark on an epic journey of discovery. “Brace yourself for a pilgrimage into the […]
“Take 5 With Dave” – More From Las Vegas Market
What should retailers do to boost their business these days? I found three answers to that question at the Las Vegas Market, as these video highlights illustrate:
Golden Insights Into Mattress Prices
Going inside the minds of mattress shoppers reveals retailers are leaving money on the table in many transactions, according to a BSC survey We will call it mattress gold. It’s the gift to retailers of helping them close more sales at higher prices. And that will bring golden benefits to their stores and websites in […]
Mood Unsettled at Lightly Attended Market
Exhibitors: Covid cancellations cut attendance and Covid concerns become an issue for fall business outlook Traffic was light, concerns about the pandemic are growing and supply chain issues remain worrisome. Those were some of the key points that emerged from a sweltering Summer Las Vegas Market, pushed back about a month from its usual late […]
“Take 5 With Dave” – Inside Terry Cralle’s Sleep Classroom
Terry Cralle tells us about conversations she often has with mattress shoppers at Green Front Furniture, where she emphasizes the importance of a great night’s sleep.
BSC Research, Part 5: Is the Price Right?
How much are consumers willing to spend on a mattress? More than they currently are paying, research shows Consumers are spending significantly less for queen-size mattresses than they expect to pay, and they are also spending less than they are willing to pay, according to a consumer survey. The nationally projectible survey was conducted for […]
Survey: Pace of Mattress Sales Growth Slowed in July
But retailers expected strong Labor Day spike A new retail mattress survey found that sales growth slowed in July, but retailers expected sales to pick up the pace for the key Labor Day holiday. Piper Sandler’s July Mattress Retailer Survey, which samples mattress retail sentiment across the United States, showed total sales growth in July […]
“Inside the Mind of Today’s Mattress Shopper” – BSC Research Is a Rich Trove of Information for Retailers
The Better Sleep Council’s Mary Helen Rogers tells us what the latest BSC research can teach retailers. (Spoiler: There are consumer dollars you may be missing out on.)
“Take 5 With Dave” – Green Front’s Den Cralle on Selling Better Sleep
Dave Perry, Sleep Savvy’s editor at large, talks with Den about how his Virginia-based home furnishings store sells more than just mattresses and how he blocks out blue light to get better sleep.
“Take 5 With Dave” – Markets Are Top of Mind
Sleep Savvy’s Dave Perry was heading into the Las Vegas Market with two key questions. One: How are mattress supply chains holding up? Two: How is the industry coping with rising Covid-19 cases? Plus, a visit to an iconic building in High Point, North Carolina, ahead of the October market there.
GhostBed CEO: Brick-and-Mortar Retailers Should Embrace DTC Mattress Brands
“Just think of how successful this can be,” says Marc Werner, chief executive officer of GhostBed, a growing direct-to-consumer brand based in Plantation, Florida. He could have added: “Just think of how successful this already is.” Werner is talking about a new partnership model that GhostBed has established that brings the best of the vibrant […]
Avocado Plans Major Push Into Brick-And-Mortar Stores
Three stores are planned for 2021 and several more in 2022 Avocado Green Mattress is getting into brick-and-mortar retail in a big way, giving customers the opportunity to relax and try out its bedding products in what the company describes as comfortable, roomy, no-stress settings. The company started in 2016 as an online brand, and […]
“Take 5 With Dave” – MattressGrove’s John Grove Returns
In this episode of “Take 5 With Dave,” John Grove with manufacturer MattressGrove asks editor at large Dave Perry to explain the differing missions and audiences of BedTimes and Sleep Savvy magazines. Grove also discusses some recent business successes.
“Inside the Mind of Today’s Mattress Shopper” – Mattress Is Key to Good Sleep
Therapedic International President Gerry Borreggine tells editor at large Dave Perry that Better Sleep Council research continues to affirm the importance of good sleep to health, and notes that consumers give their new mattresses high marks.
“Take 5 With Dave” – Limer Sees In-Store Comeback
Editor at large Dave Perry chats with Latexco’s Brent Limer, who says brick-and-mortar retailers learned from the pandemic and will regain lost market share and talks about his love of days at the beach.
Retail Survey: Q2 Finishes Strong, Q3 Outlook ‘Highly Favorable’
Retail mattress sales were strong in June compared to their performance in June 2019, and retailers recorded substantial increases in written orders for the key July Fourth weekend, a new retail survey reveals. Piper Sandler’s June Mattress Retailer Survey, which represents the views of mattress retailers around the country, found total delivered mattress sales in […]
“Take 5 With Dave” – ISPA Sees Early Buzz for 2022 EXPO
ISPA’s Kerri Bellias tells Dave Perry there is an early buzz for the next EXPO, set for March in Orlando, and explains why she is anticipating a strong turnout for the event.
“Take 5 With Dave” – Inside Greensboro’s MattressGrove
MattressGrove President John Grove tells Dave Perry why family businesses like his have an advantage in the market these days, and talks about his love of hockey.
“Take 5 With Dave” – Vicki Fishman on Cyberattacks and Barbecue
Editor at large Dave Perry talks to Vicki Fishman of Wright Global Graphics, who says no company is immune from cyberattacks and reflects on the joys of North Carolina barbecue.
BSC Study: Consumers More Willing to Shop, Buy in-Person in Q2
A new consumer study conducted by the Better Sleep Council reveals that consumers are showing signs of returning to some pre-pandemic attitudes and shopping behaviors. The latest study in the BSC’s ongoing research initiative, “Inside the Mind of Today’s Mattress Shopper,” reflects consumer sentiment in the second quarter of 2021. Previous BSC tracker surveys looked […]
Buying Behavior, Part 4: The Purchase Experience
Consumer preference for online mattress buying continues to rise, but brick-and-mortar stores remain important, a Better Sleep Council survey shows Consumer preference for purchasing mattresses online has risen sharply in recent years, with almost half of consumers now saying they would purchase online. And an overwhelming majority of respondents ages 18 to 35 now say […]
“Take 5 With Dave” – Kahl On What Retailers Want
Paul Kahl of AW Industries tells Dave Perry that retailers are looking for producers who can ship, and talks about Maryland crab cakes and Broadway musicals.
Sleepland Is a Wide Awake Mattress Wonderland
Retailer Furnitureland South focuses on bedding in a dramatic new department that aims to excite a spirit of discovery in shoppers “The World’s Largest Furniture Store,” as Furnitureland South proclaims itself, provides a gateway to “The Furniture Capital of the World,” as the city of High Point, North Carolina, proclaims itself. The store — actually […]
“Inside the Mind of Today’s Mattress Shopper” – BSC Chair Dishes on Shopping Experience
In a new video series on Better Sleep Council research, BSC Chair Brent Limer tells editor at large Dave Perry the mattress shopping experience gets better reviews than critics suggest, and says both brick-and-mortar and online shopping are here to stay.
“Take 5 With Dave” – Episode 2
In the second episode of the new video series “Take 5 With Dave,” Sleep Savvy and BedTimes editor at large David Perry interviews Therapedic International President Gerry Borreggine
Memorial Day Mattress Sales Sizzle, Retail Survey Reveals
Memorial Day weekend mattress sales were up by a mean of 63% as the retail climate for bedding remains healthy, a new survey says. The May Piper Sandler Mattress Retailer Survey, which reflects the views of mattress retailers around the country, found another strong month for retail mattress sales. Retailers reported that recent price increases […]
Take 5 With Dave – Episode 1
In the premiere episode of the new video series, Sleep Savvy and BedTimes editor at large David Perry interviews the Better Sleep Council’s Mary Helen Rogers
Retail Survey: Consumers More Interested in Better Sleep
Latest Piper Sandler report also shows shift to higher bedding prices Foam shortages are likely to continue. Mattress advertising dollars are up. Consumers are more interested in better sleep as a key component of their health. And many retailers say the industry is seeing a shift to higher average selling prices. Those are some of […]
Retail Survey: Consumers More Interested in Better Sleep
Latest Piper Sandler report also shows shift to higher bedding prices Foam shortages are likely to continue. Mattress advertising dollars are up. Consumers are more interested in better sleep as a key component of their health. And many retailers say the industry is seeing a shift to higher average selling prices. Those are some of […]
BSC’s State of America’s Sleep Survey Finds a Nation Sharply Divided on Sleep Quality
The Covid-19 pandemic played havoc with the quality of sleep for many Americans, significantly increasing the number of poor sleepers and inflicting mental, physical and financial strains on those poor sleepers, a new survey reveals. The “State of America’s Sleep” survey, conducted by the Better Sleep Council, documents a country that is as divided in […]
Assessing the Covid-19 Marketplace
As consumers focus on their sleep, retailers have an opportunity to boost sales of king-size mattresses and sleep accessories The bedding industry has experienced a Covid-19 bounce, with sales surging as consumers hunker down at home and focus on making themselves more comfortable in their nests. This is an opportunity for mattress retailers to sell […]
Mattress Matters
Consumers are almost evenly split on firmness, but softer beds have gained ground, according to research conducted by the Better Sleep Council Consumers are divided in their preferences for firm and soft mattresses, but the Covid-19 pandemic is sparking growing interest in softer mattresses, which are preferred by many younger consumers. A major consumer study […]
Almost Half of Consumers Still Not Getting Good Night’s Sleep
The majority of those who say they are sleeping well recently bought a mattress, according to the Better Sleep Council Q1 tracking survey. Almost half of the respondents in a new consumer survey say they still aren’t getting a good night’s sleep, with insomnia, health problems and stress all taking their toll. But many of […]
Bedding Producers Give High Point Premarket Event Good Reviews
Bedding producers generally gave the recent premarket event in High Point, North Carolina, good reviews, and some said it portends a strong High Point Market in June. More than 300 exhibitors participated in premarket, a record number. That included a handful of bedding producers. Premarket gives retailers an early look at upcoming market introductions. “Enso […]
Survey: Retail Mattress Sales Up but Product Delays Impacting Business
Retail mattress sales were strong in March, but retailers say product delays and foam shortages are impacting their business, a new survey reveals. More than one-quarter (27%) of the retailers surveyed noted that product delays and foam shortages are having a “significant impact” on their business. And the remainder of the retailers surveyed reported that […]
Sleep No. 1
When it comes to good health, mattress buyers say a good night’s rest is more critical than healthy eating and exercise, according to a BSC tracking survey A new national survey of mattress buyers commissioned by the Better Sleep Council reveals that mattress buyers say a good night’s sleep is even more important than diet […]
The Coronavirus Marketplace
According to a new survey, the pandemic has increased mattress shopping, with emphasis on king-size models and sleep accessories The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the mattress marketplace in a number of significant ways, a consumer study reveals. Consumers affected by the pandemic are more likely to look for a new mattress, especially a king-size model; […]
Report: Weak Results on Presidents Day Sales Slowed Retail Growth in February
Retail mattress sales remained healthy in February but slowed from the record double-digit growth posted in January, an industry report says. Sales on the Presidents Day weekend (Saturday through Monday), traditionally a time of heavy mattress promotions, were down, the report notes. The Piper Sandler February Mattress Retailer Survey, which reflects the views of retailers […]
7 Keys to Understanding Today’s Retail Mattress Marketplace
BSC survey of mattress purchasers and those who plan to buy identifies trends in shopping behavior A Better Sleep Council survey looked at shopping behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic. The 500 online respondents included consumers who had purchased a mattress within the previous two months (63%), and consumers who planned to purchase a mattress within […]
50-plus new models part of largest Sealy launch in brand’s history
Tempur Sealy International is introducing more than 50 Sealy models in the largest launch in the bed brand’s 140-year history, the Lexington, Kentucky-based company said. Grouped into three collections — Sealy Essentials, Posturepedic and Posturepedic Plus — the revamped Sealy lineup offers a range of innerspring, all-foam and hybrid constructions for every sleeping style and […]
High-end bedding lines to take spotlight at Las Vegas Market
Show has been moved to April 11-15 because of the Covid-19 pandemic The British are coming. So is an enhanced CBD line. And high-end offerings touting natural materials and handcrafted details will abound. Those are some of the new product directions set for the Las Vegas Market April 11-15 at the World Market Center, the […]
Piper Sandler Survey: Retail Mattress Sales Up 22.3% in January
Retail mattress sales got off to a booming start in January, a new survey reveals. Piper Sandler’s January Mattress Retailer Survey, which presents insights from retailers around the country, showed the strongest sales growth in the survey’s five-year history, the New York-based firm says. Retail mattress sales in January were up in dollars by a […]
New BSC Survey: Good Night’s Sleep More Important Than Diet, Exercise
A new national survey of mattress buyers commissioned by the Better Sleep Council reveals that mattress buyers say a good night’s sleep is even more important than diet and exercise when it comes to their health. The survey, “Inside the Mind of Today’s Mattress Consumer,” found that 75% of consumers said a good night’s sleep […]
New Lines Out Before April Vegas Market
Some bedding manufacturers are reacting to the industry’s revamped 2021 market calendar by embarking on their own initiatives to introduce new lines. The Winter Las Vegas Market, traditionally the industry’s launching pad in late January for new product lines, has been moved to April 11-15 because of Covid-19 concerns, and that has several bedding producers […]
Mattress Shopping Market Continues Its Evolution
Comprehensive survey confirms shift to online purchasing and other changes accelerated by the pandemic By David Perry A broad consumer survey conducted by the Better Sleep Council finds growing support for online mattress purchases and declining consumer interest in using store visits as a key source of information for mattress shoppers. The BSC survey documents […]
2021: A Year of Reimagining
To find success during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic, bedding retailers need a fresh start to spark business The word of 2020, according to the wordsmiths at Merriam-Webster, was “pandemic.” That word, which we all have heard every day for months, was looked up 1,621% more last year than in the previous year, […]