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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
No complaints about this customer service
BY JULIE A. PALM What a recent experience can teach retailers about keeping consumers happy “I’m happy to help. In fact, I get paid to help you! Seriously, that’s the only reason I’m here.” That’s part of an exchange I recently had with a customer service representative. It shouldn’t have struck me as unusual, but […]
‘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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
U.S. at its highest stress level yet, poll shows
Nearly two-thirds of Americans say the future of the nation has them freaked out—and is keeping them awake at night Are you losing sleep over the state of the United States? You’re not alone. Nearly two-thirds of Americans (63%) say the future of the nation is a very or somewhat significant source of stress, slightly […]
The Better Sleep Council launches new sleep blog on BetterSleep.org
News release ALEXANDRIA, VA – February 13, 2018 – To continue helping consumers start every day with a good night’s sleep, the Better Sleep Council (BSC), the consumer-education arm of the International Sleep Products Association, is unveiling the Better Sleep Council Blog on February 13. The blog will serve as a resource to educate and […]
BSC gains new leadership with Julia Rosien and Brent Limer
Rosien appointed chair; Limer accepts vice chair position The International Sleep Products Association has named Julia Rosien, brand director for Buffalo, New York-based Restonic Mattress Corp., and Brent Limer, chief sales officer for Latexco LLC, headquartered in Lavonia, Georgia, to the leadership of the Better Sleep Council, the consumer-education arm of ISPA. Rosien is serving […]
Keep these 5 insights in mind when creating your plan for healthy retail sales in 2018
You’ve heard it before—e-commerce is disrupting traditional brick-and-mortar retailing in a big way, ushering in tremendous change. From Bloomberg Businessweek to The Wall Street Journal, 2017 was filled with doom-and-gloom on the coming “retail apocalypse.” The number of stores that closed last year was the highest ever, with estimates ranging from 7,000 to 8,700 shops […]
Are you keeping up with your new year’s resolutions?
News release from the Better Sleep Council A study from the Better Sleep Council says better sleep may be the key to making 2018 goals stick ALEXANDRIA, VA – January 9, 2018 – While it’s no secret Americans struggle each year to keep their New Year’s resolutions, one key toward helping them stick to their […]
Let sleeping dogs lie—in the bedroom
Mayo Clinic study finds people sleep better with their pets nearby but not in the bed with them Pet owners have strong feelings about allowing their pets to sleep with them or not. For those on the pro side, here’s a piece of good news—a recent study by the Mayo Clinic shows it’s just fine […]
Sleep expert to offer consumer tips
Sleep Savvy will begin posting weekly rest suggestions in December from Terry Cralle for retailers and retail sales associates to share with customers Beginning Dec. 1, be sure to check Sleep Savvy’s social media platforms each Friday for advice on getting a good night’s sleep from sleep expert Terry Cralle. Feel free to share her […]
MRC hires Northeast program coordinator Kate Caddy
The Mattress Recycling Council, which operates Connecticut and Rhode Island’s Bye Bye Mattress recycling programs, has hired Kate Caddy as Northeast program coordinator. She replaces Justine Fallon, who recently was promoted to MRC’s operations manager. Based in Connecticut, Caddy serves as the primary point of contact for Connecticut and Rhode Island collection sites and recycling […]
Retailers plan to increase employment and pay
More employers to hire permanent and seasonal staff in the fourth quarter, survey finds Retailers are expecting another busy shopping season and are becoming more competitive in terms of what they are willing to pay seasonal workers, according to a fourth-quarter forecast by CareerBuilder, a Chicago-based employment services company. Half plan to hire seasonal workers […]
7 tips to survive the holiday selling season
Follow these 7 tips from the retail floor to get through the hustle and bustle of the end-of-the-year selling season with a smile As the holiday shopping season heats up, so does the craziness of fussy customers, new hires, high sales targets and long hours. Monster Worldwide, a global employment services company based in Weston, […]
‘Tis the season to sleep, snuggle and smooch
Better Sleep Council study says Americans stay warm in bed during the coldest months ALEXANDRIA, VA, Nov. 6, 2017 – A little more than half of Americans (51%) sleep more in the wintertime, and 42% find winter the best sleeping season, according to a new survey from the Better Sleep Council (BSC), the nonprofit consumer-education […]
MRC concludes first industrywide survey
Survey responses offer suggestions for improving recycling access, communications The Mattress Recycling Council received 165 responses to its first industry survey, which it conducted last summer. The retailers that participated helped the nonprofit organization understand how MRC is perceived and how it can better communicate to this segment of the industry. “With all the Bye […]
Some parents ignore infant sleep guidelines
A distressing new study finds that less than half (44%) of mothers intend to and consistently follow sleep guidelines that recommend infants be put to sleep on their backs. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents place newborns and infants on their backs to sleep to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The […]
Ontario knows the value of sleep
Residents of Ontario are the best sleepers in Canada, according to a survey conducted by online mattress brand Douglas. That said, none of the provinces are as well-rested as they could be. Only 17% of Ontarians report regularly getting eight hours or more of sleep each night, according to a news release. Residents of British […]
A lack of sleep can make arguments between partners more hostile and less productive
Most of us know the adage that tells couples never go to bed angry. Well, researchers have found that a lack of sleep can make arguments between couples nastier. So, maybe we need a new saying: If you’re fighting, get some sleep and talk again in the morning. It’s not as pithy, but it might be […]
Welcome to the evolution of retail shopping
Is brick-and-mortar retail dying? No. It’s going through a much-needed metamorphosis It has been a rough year for retail. Traditional retailers of all types are shuttering locations, with many reorganizing under bankruptcy protection and some going out of business forever. Analysts are calling it the worst year for retail since the Great Recession. (We hope […]
How much do you value sleep?
BY LISSA COFFEY A lack of adequate sleep can make you—and our whole society—less healthy, less productive and less safe Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel free to share this great guidance from Better Sleep Council […]
Sleep positions indicate revealing facts
Research from the Better Sleep Council uncovers how you sleep may reveal more than you think A new survey conducted by the Better Sleep Council, the consumer-education arm of the International Sleep Products Association, suggests sleep positions may reveal important aspects about people, including their health, age and even education level. Most people sleep in […]
Hitting the mark with email marketing
Follow these email marketing suggestions to create e-newsletters consumers will look forward to reading With social media algorithms leaving businesses scratching their heads, email newsletters are coming to the forefront as a dependable way to reach consumers. “The question isn’t whether or not you should start an email newsletter; it’s how can you create a […]
How to recycle mattresses in MRC program states
The Mattress Recycling Council’s Bye Bye Mattress program provides no-cost recycling for public and private entities that discard mattresses and box springs that were used and discarded in the state. If you sell mattresses directly to consumers in California, Connecticut or Rhode Island, here’s how to recycle units from customers. California Directly drop off at […]
MRC issues 2016 California Annual Report, shows Bye Bye Mattress program success
Initial results of Golden State’s Bye Bye Mattress program show early success In its inaugural California Annual Report, the Mattress Recycling Council reported it diverted 955,059 units and more than 29 million pounds of material from landfills in 2016. Approximately 40% of the mattresses collected for recycling were obtained from retailers and other large-volume users […]
Bedding Market Quarterly report 2nd-quarter sales decline
U.S. mattress sales dipped in the second quarter of 2017, compared with the same three-month period in 2016, according to Bedding Market Quarterly, a sales trend report published by the International Sleep Products Association. Sales of mattresses and foundations tumbled 8%, and wholesale revenues fell 6.8%, compared with the same quarter last year. The average […]
Does bad press affect hiring?
Survey finds most U.S. workers would not apply for a job at a company experiencing negative publicity or bad press Negative publicity not only damages a store’s brand, but also its ability to recruit talent. According to a recent survey by CareerBuilder.com, 71% of U.S. workers would not apply for a job at a company […]
Forecast: Mattress sales to continue gains in 2017, 2018
U.S. mattress sales are expected to grow a bit more robustly in 2017 and 2018 than they did in 2016—itself a rather solid year, according to the latest ISPA Mattress Industry Forecast. Released in June, the mattress industry forecast for 2017 (paywall for non-ISPA members) from the International Sleep Products Association calls for a 3.5% increase […]
New ISPA Annual Trends Report shows solid growth
Mattress manufacturers shipped more than 41 million mattresses and foundations in 2016 The mattress industry continued a pattern of healthy growth in 2016 (paywall for non-ISPA members) posting gains in three key measurements, according to the ISPA Mattress Industry Trends Report released in June by the International Sleep Products Association. U.S. mattress manufacturers shipped more than 41 […]
Why snoring drives partners from the bedroom
Australian study reveals that women are bothered more by sleep disorders than men A new study from Australian researchers suggests that men and women are affected differently by sleep disorders. Results show that women are more likely than men to have more severe symptoms of depression, trouble sleeping at night and excessive daytime sleepiness. Women […]
News release: BSC sleep positions survey
News release from the Better Sleep Council, the consumer-education arm of the International Sleep Products Association Does Sleep Position Indicate Intelligence? Research from the Better Sleep Council uncovers how you sleep may reveal more than you think ALEXANDRIA, Virginia – August 11, 2017 – New research suggests the position you sleep in may tell you […]
Give Your Opinions About Mattress Recycling Programs Through a Short Survey
The Mattress Recycling Council has released an industrywide survey that will help the nonprofit improve its customer service and communication efforts. Take the short survey. MRC asks retailers and manufacturers doing business in MRC’s Bye Bye Mattress programs in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island to rate their experience with MRC and its resources. Those in […]
MRC expands public education
Recycling program launches interactive booth tour in California The Mattress Recycling Council recently launched an interactive booth tour in California to further reach and educate consumers about its Bye Bye Mattress program and the benefits of recycling. Activities are fun for all ages: a maze, matching game and computer challenge to save as many mattresses […]
Why Americans Value the Role of Sleep
According to a national survey, a whopping 97% of Americans think a good night’s sleep improves their quality of life and is important to help them perform at their best. The study, conducted online by Harris Poll among more than 3,000 U.S. adults 18 and older, was commissioned by Herobed, a hybrid boxed bed launched […]
How to be a well-rested trendsetter
BY LISSA COFFEY Try these latest sleep aids and apps to catch up on your zzz’s at home, work or anywhere. Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel free to share this great guidance from Better Sleep […]
BSC Survey Uncovers Americans Still Believe Myths About Sleep
For Better Sleep Month, the Better Sleep Council Debunks Myths and Launches New Site ALEXANDRIA, Virginia – May 9, 2017 – Americans have trouble separating fact from fiction about sleep, according to a new study from the Better Sleep Council (BSC), the nonprofit consumer-education arm of the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA). To coincide with […]
Why Retailers are Shuttering Locations and Laying Off Employees like the Great Recession
While the overall U.S. economy remains robust, the retail sector is showing worrying signs of seriously ill health. Recent articles published by Bloomberg tally the latest declines. “Year-to-date store closings are already outpacing those of 2008, when the last U.S. recession was raging, reports Credit Suisse Group AG analyst Christian Buss. About 2,880 have been […]
How Nature, Naps and Showers Are All Key to Good Sleep
New research shows you can reset your ‘clock’ with a camping trip Having trouble getting good sleep? Grab your tent and head for the great outdoors. According to new research, a weekend spent outdoors can reset out-of-whack circadian rhythms and restore healthy sleep patterns. Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder conducted two studies with volunteers who […]
How Sleep Changes from Infancy to Old Age
How much rest we need changes over time, as do the things that keep us up at night. Here are tips for a lifetime of good sleep: BY LISSA COFFEY Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel […]
BSC research says shoppers understand a good mattress means a good night’s sleep
Exclusive Better Sleep Council research: Sleep-mattress link clear In the final installment about the Better Sleep Council’s 2016 study, Sleep Savvy examines consumers’ attitudes toward sleep, accessory shopping habits and demographic profiles. Download a PDF of the entire three-part series here. BY JULIE A. PALM Everyone wants to be healthy, and the majority of consumers […]
New BSC Research: What Moves Consumers to Replace Their Mattress?
BY JULIE A. PALM Recent research from the Better Sleep Council indicates health, comfort, deterioration, new technologies and product choices all play a role in shoppers’ willingness to head to retail stores and websites to buy a new bed set. And many plan to take that step sooner rather than later. Retailers get ready: Four […]
The Healing Power of Sleep in Cancer
While inadequate rest increases the risk of cancer, restorative sleep is an essential part of its treatment and recovery BY TERRY CRALLE Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel free to share this great guidance from Better […]
What Kind of Sleep Animal are You?
Do you sleep like a bear, dolphin, lion or wolf? According to Michael Breus, a sleep specialist and author of the new book “The Power of When,” there’s a reason why our daily activities and sleep habits vary—our biological clocks tick differently. To help understand these variations, he categorizes four chronotypes, or classifications, based on […]
Mattress Recycling Council Program Celebrates 1 Million Recycled Mark
With a successful first year of mattress-recycling programs in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island, the Mattress Recycling Council has kept more than 1 million mattresses out of landfills, officials said during a program Jan. 24 at the Winter Las Vegas Market. The steel, foam, fiber and wood removed from these products have been given new […]
Parents Report Daylight Saving Time Negatively Affects Their Kids
NEWS RELEASE Better Sleep Council Offers Tips to Help Parents Get Kids Back to Sleep ALEXANDRIA, Virginia – March 6, 2017 – Half of all American parents say Daylight Saving Time (DST) affects their kids and more than one-quarter (29%) report it’s more difficult to get children to sleep after the time change, according to […]
2017 Retail Forecast: Confident Shoppers, Growing Sales
Retailers should enjoy a healthy 2017, thanks to growing employment, higher wages, and continuing gains in housing and business investment BY PHILLIP M. PERRY For retailers looking to enjoy a profitable 2017, the economic stars are shifting into happy alignment. Consumers are expected to have more spendable money over the next 12 months, thanks to […]
Napflix Aids Sleep with Purposefully Dull Videos
Can’t sleep? Napflix to the rescue! Ordinarily, sleep experts recommend removing screens at least an hour before bedtime. But what if a screen could provide the perfect antidote to insomnia? According to a Nov. 4 article on Geek.com, Victor Guitérrez de Tena and Francesc Pérez created Napflix.tv, a “Spanish siesta video platform” that finds users […]
Infants and Parents Should Share a Room to Prevent SIDS
Babies should sleep in the same room as the parents—but on a separate surface—for at least the first six months of life to prevent SIDS, according to a recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The policy statement, based on new research, encourages parents to keep their newborn in a crib or bassinet in their […]
Drowsy Driving as Risky as Drunk Driving
A study from AAA finds sleeping less than seven hours a day doubles the dangers of crashing Drivers who miss between one to two hours of the recommended seven hours of sleep in a 24-hour period and are drowsing driving nearly double their risk of a crash, according to research from the AAA Foundation for […]
5 Suggestions for Increasing Teamwork Efficiency
Go, team, go! In today’s retail climate, one way to do more with less is through the efficiency of teamwork. Follow these 5 suggestions for making the most of your staff: Two heads are better than one, the saying goes. But that doesn’t take into account how to make three, four or five heads work […]
5 Recipes that Give You a Better Night’s Sleep
Kitchen cures for insomnia For years, families have passed down home remedies and recipes to help folks fall asleep. Here are a few time-honored classics: BY LISSA COFFEY Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel free to […]
Bedding Market Quarterly says Third-quarter Mattress Sales Down
U.S. mattress sales dipped in the third quarter of 2016, compared with the same three-month period in 2015, according to Bedding Market Quarterly, a sales trend report published by the International Sleep Products Association. Sales of mattresses and foundations decreased by 4.7%, and wholesale revenues dropped 2.5%, compared with the same quarter last year. The […]
BSC Survey Finds Consumers Adopting Savvier Shopping Habits
Exclusive Better Sleep Council Research – Download a PDF of the entire three-part research series here. BY JULIE A. PALM A 2016 study from the Better Sleep Council, the consumer-education arm of the International Sleep Products Association, reveals changes in bedding-shopping behavior, including shorter replacement cycles, an expectation of higher ticket prices, a commitment to brick-and-mortar […]
Go Ahead, Nap, If You Can at Washington D.C. Sleep Boutique
Meditation and sleep boutique offers 20-minute respites in troubled times. In the middle of a stress-filled fall election season, a savvy Washington, D.C., entrepreneur opened a meditation and sleep boutique called Recharj in the heart of the city. An Oct. 13 headline in The Washington Post read, “Would You Pay for a 20-Minute Nap? This […]
Reducing the Stress, Achieving the Bliss of this Holiday Season
May visions of sugar plums… How to reduce stress and achieve the bliss of sweet slumber during the hectic holiday season BY LISSA COFFEY Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel free to share this great guidance […]
New BSC Research Tracks Changes in Mattress Shopper Behaviors
Exclusive Better Sleep Council Research A 2016 study from the Better Sleep Council, the consumer-education arm of the International Sleep Products Association, on what motivates today’s mattress shoppers reveals changes in bedding-shopping behavior, including shorter replacement cycles, an expectation of higher ticket prices and the influence of technological trends on research and purchasing habits. Download […]
Mattress Recycling: A Success Story
Three years after California, Connecticut and Rhode Island passed mattress-recycling laws, statewide programs are flourishing under the management of the Mattress Recycling Council BY JULIE A. PALM Collectively, new statewide recycling programs in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island have recycled 1 million mattresses and box springs since the first program in Connecticut got underway just […]
Web Campaigns for Mattresses Defy Tradition
Numbers show bedding advertisers approach TV and digital quite differently in their web campaigns While TV advertising for mattresses spikes every summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day, that ad spend does not appear to correlate with the industry’s ad spending on the web, according to “Mattress Advertising: Seasonality in TV and Paid Search,” a […]
Risk of SIDS Continues in Unsafe Environments
A new study finds that caregivers still are putting babies to sleep in unsafe environments While many parents know the “Back to Sleep” tagline, a recent study finds that parents still are putting their babies to sleep in ways that raise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The study, published in the Aug. 15 […]
Interesting Sleep Trivia to Tell Your Shoppers
BY LISSA COFFEY Not-so-trivial pursuit Sleep trivia you never knew that you never knew: a collection of interesting tidbits to share with shoppers Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel free to share this great guidance from […]
California’s CalRecycle Conducts Site Inspections
CalRecycle visits stores to verify that retailers are in compliance with the state’s mattress-recycling program Staff members of California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) are conducting inspections to verify that retailers and other parties are complying with the Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Art, reports the Mattress Recycling Council, a nonprofit organization created […]
Bye Bye Mattress and No-cost Mattress Recycling
Thousands of mattresses are recycled each month in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island as a result of Bye Bye Mattress, the Mattress Recycling Council’s consumer-facing program. Retailers in these states are eligible for no-cost recycling through Bye Bye Mattress. Here’s how to receive these services: California: MRC works with various recyclers throughout the state. Retailers […]
A Remedy for Women’s Sleep Shortfalls
BY LISSA COFFEY Women and sleep If you are a woman, you’re probably well aware that you have more difficulty snoozing than men. Here are simple steps to remedy resting shortfalls: Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. […]
U.S. Veterans and Their Families Suffer from Sleep Disorders
U.S. veterans with sleep disorders on the rise A study by researchers at the University of South Carolina in Columbia reveals that sleep disorders in veterans has increased six-fold over an 11-year period. A sample of more than 9.7 million U.S. veterans seeking care in the Veterans Health Administration between 2000 and 2010 showed the […]
How a Fatty Diet Leads to Daytime Sleepiness
If you’re sleepy during the day, take a look at the amount of fat in your diet. Researchers at the University of Adelaide in Adelaide, Australia, examined the food intake and sleep habits of more than 1,800 men over the course of a year. They found that those who ate a high-fat diet were more […]
Medical Association Offers Guidance to Reduce Harmful Effects of LED Streetlights
Carefully lighting the way As cities replace streetlights with more energy-efficient LEDs, decisions about the type of LED lights selected should be taken into consideration, doctors say. The American Medical Association adopted a community guidance report at its annual meeting this summer to help communities select lights that will have the least amount of human […]
U.S. Mattress Sales Tick Up Slightly in Second Quarter
U.S. mattress sales rose in the second quarter of 2016, compared with the same three-month period in 2015, according to Bedding Market Quarterly, a sales trend report published by the International Sleep Products Association. Sales of units (mattresses and foundations) increased 0.8% and the wholesale dollar value of those units was up 5.5%, compared with the […]
Infographic: American Workers Are Sleep-Deprived
According to this infographic published by the Safety Management online degree program at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, U.S. employees are short on sleep and it’s affecting their performance on the job, and causing more workplace injuries than ever before. Studies show that American workers are sleeping one to two hours less per day than […]
U.S. Mattress Sales Revenues Rise in Second Quarter
U.S. mattress sales rose in the second quarter of 2016, compared with the same three-month period in 2015, according to Bedding Market Quarterly (paywall), a sales trend report published by the International Sleep Products Association. Sales of units (mattresses and foundations) increased 0.8% and the wholesale dollar value of those units was up 5.5%, compared […]
MRC Offers Materials and Resources for Retailers
The Mattress Recycling Council offers consumer-education materials and resources for registered retailers at no cost. While stores aren’t required to use them, they are designed to help explain state recycling programs to customers. Included are: Information cards: These smartphone-sized cards, which can be attached to receipts or invoices, direct customers here for information about the […]
Third State Enacts Mattress Recycling Law
New Rhode Island Mattress Recycling program is funded through $10 fee for each mattress, box spring. On May 1, Rhode Island became the third U.S. state to launch a free recycling program for mattresses and box springs. The program, called Bye Bye Mattress, establishes free collection points in cities and towns across the state. Ocean […]
U.S. Wholesale Revenues Set New High in 2015
The U.S. mattress industry in 2015 continued its upward trend in both unit shipments and wholesale dollar values, according to the 2015 Mattress Industry Report of Sales and Trends recently released by the International Sleep Products Association. U.S. mattress manufacturers shipped nearly 39 million units (mattresses and foundations) in 2015—up 4.5% over 2014 levels. Wholesale […]
Forecast: U.S. Mattress Sales to Rise
The U.S. mattress industry is projected to enjoy healthy increases in both units shipped and the value of those shipments for 2016 and 2017, according to a new forecast from the International Sleep Products Association. The forecast, released in May, projects that the number of mattresses and foundations shipped will rise by 3.5% and the […]
Long Hours Can Be Hazardous To Your Health
Does working more hours increase your bottom line? Research says ‘nope.’ Take note, retailers: According to a recent post on Inc.com, working too much can be counterproductive and even lead to health problems. The business website cites various reports and scientific studies that suggest working more than 40 hours a week can have negative physical, […]
High Protein Weight Loss Diet Improves Sleep
People following a high protein diet to lose weight may enjoy a benefit beyond shedding pounds—a better night’s sleep. In a study conducted by Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, 44 overweight or obese adults consumed either a normal protein or high protein diet designed for weight loss and were asked to rate the quality […]
Sleep Loss Boosts Hunger and Really Bad Food Choices
After a rough night of sleep loss, do you tend to wake up with the munchies? According to new research by the University of Chicago Medical Center, there’s a reason why lack of sleep increases unhealthy food choices. The study shows that sleep deprivation produces higher and more sustained levels of a lipid (specifically an […]
Workplace Epidemic: Employees Work Sleepy
A recent survey of more than 1,000 U.S. workers from Accountemps, a staffing firm based in Menlo Park, California, finds that nearly three-quarters of U.S. working employees report working while tired and nearly one-third say they do so “very often.” Younger workers are particularly likely to head into the office feeling less than well-rested. Eighty-six […]
Tired Teenagers Lead to Unsafe Behavior
CDC report finds that lack of sleep among high school students leads to unsafe behavior High school students in the United States who don’t get a good night’s sleep are more inclined to engage in risky behaviors than those who receive sufficient sleep, according to a new report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease […]
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Art Van Furniture and Indiana radio station host ladies night out—complete with music, treats and, of course, home furnishings offerings Every woman needs a night out once in a while. Warren, Michigan-based Art Van Furniture recently teamed up with radio station Hot 107.9 FM to give gals a fun evening of “entertainment, excitement, pampering and […]
Better Bed Quizzz
The BSC launches a digital tool during Better Sleep Month to help consumers enter the mattress-buying process The Better Sleep Council, the consumer-education arm of the International Sleep Products Association, is introducing a “decision tree” application to help guide consumers through the initial steps of mattress shopping. The launch is in conjunction with its annual […]
CDC Finds a Third of Americans Don’t Get Enough Sleep
More than a third of Americans aren’t getting enough sleep and are suffering related health consequences, according to a report from the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Feb. 19. (The less-than-scintillating title of the report—“Prevalence of Healthy Sleep Duration Among Adults—United States, 2014”—might help put some of those folks to sleep, but […]
Study Shows Retail Workers Are Satisfied, Engaged in Work
Are you having a good day selling sleep products today? Yes? You’re not alone. A recent study shows people working in the consumer products and services sector, which includes retail, are more engaged in and satisfied with their work than those in other fields. The data comes from “2016 Best Industry Ranking: Employee Engagement & […]
The Economic Cost of Sleep Deprivation
Better Sleep Council survey: U.S. adults spend $5 billion in cost to compensate for not getting enough rest American adults spend more than $5 billion annually trying to compensate for poor sleep, according to new research from the Better Sleep Council, the consumer-education arm of the International Sleep Products Association. Eighty-two percent of U.S. adults […]
Ending the Bedtime Battleground
Recommended by a pediatric sleep expert, a sleep pass can turn your bedtime battleground with your children into a peaceful experience. BY TERRY CRALLE Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel free to share this great guidance […]
Strike a Yoga Pose for Better Sleep
Making these five postures part of your bedtime routine will help you drift easily to sleep. BY LISSA COFFEY Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel free to share this great guidance from Better Sleep Council spokeswoman Lissa Coffey […]
Rhode Island Approves Mattress Recycling Program
Statewide mattress recycling program to begin May 1 The approved plan requires that retailers add a $10 recycling fee to each new or renovated mattress and box spring sold to Rhode Island consumers, who will see the charge as a separate line item on their receipt. Retailers and other businesses selling mattresses will remit those […]
The High Cost of Better Sleep
NEWS RELEASE Contact: Mary Helen Rogers 571-482-5436 mhrogers@sleepproducts.org Kristen J. Gough 914-837-8912 kgough@marcusthomasllc.com THE HIGH COST OF POOR SLEEP New Better Sleep Council Research Shows Economic Cost of Sleep Loss in the Billions ALEXANDRIA, Virginia – March 3, 2016 – American adults spend more than $5 billion annually trying to compensate for poor sleep, according […]
5 Steps to Better Sleep
Help customers resolve to sleep better in 2016 BY LISSA COFFEY TO LEARN MORE If you’d like more sleep tips, check out the Better Sleep Council’s website BSC spokeswoman Lissa Coffey’s videos can be viewed at YouTube. Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including […]
Pantone Color of the Year choices evoke tranquility, wellness
Color trend forecast blends two shades—Rose Quartz and Serenity For the first time, Pantone Inc., the leading color trend forecaster, has selected two shades for its Color of the Year—Rose Quartz and Serenity. The pale pink and light blue colors reflect consumers’ desires to seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern stress, according to […]
Mattress Sales Jump in November
Mattress sales rose 4.9% in November 2015 over the same month in 2014, according to the latest Bedding Barometer (paywall), a monthly report of U.S. mattress sales published by the International Sleep Products Association. Additionally, the wholesale dollar value of those units grew by 6.5% and the average unit selling price increased 1.6%, compared with […]
News Release: California Mattress Recycling Program Debuts
NEWS RELEASE December 30, 2015 Contact: Julia McDowell Office: (703) 888-4146 Cell: (703) 582-0428 jmcdowell@williamswhittle.com STATEWIDE MATTRESS RECYCLING PROGRAM DEBUTS IN CALIFORNIA Allows In-State Retailers No-Cost Drop Off at Participating Recycling Facilities ALEXANDRIA, VA – Today, California’s Mattress Stewardship Plan will take effect, making it the second state in the nation to launch a statewide […]
How to put sleep on holiday shopping lists
This year, give your loved ones what they need most—a good night’s rest BY LISSA COFFEY Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel free to share this great guidance from Better Sleep Council spokeswoman Lissa Coffey with […]
Get in the know on the latest sleep research
Kids: For a good night’s sleep, turn off, tune out Study finds 20% of teens awake up at night to check social media More than one in five teenagers say they “almost always” wake up during the night to look at or post messages on social media, according in some of the latest sleep research from […]
California Mattress Recycling FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the California recycling program I am a mattress retailer, and I want to be compliant with this new law and program. Where can I learn more? The Mattress Recycling Council has a toll-free support line, dedicated email, written guidelines and a step-by-step video to assist the mattress industry with registering through www.mrcreporting.org. […]
Mattress Recycling Fee Collection Begins Dec. 30 in California
The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery has approved a budget and recycling fee for mattress recycling. Fee collection will begin Dec. 30. The Mattress Recycling Council proposed the budget and fee to fund its California Mattress Recycling Program, which will be known to consumers as Bye Bye Mattress. MRC is a nonprofit organization […]
Connecticut Mattress Recycling Off To Strong Start
The first state mattress-recycling program took effect in Connecticut in May. Six months into the program, here are some of the results: Ninety towns and 65 other entities (retailers, nonprofits, boarding schools, a submarine base, etc.) have enrolled in the program. In the first five months, the Mattress Recycling Council has kept nearly 50,000 mattresses out […]
Spreading the mattress recycling word
The Mattress Recycling Council has been busy keeping mattresses out of landfills and spreading the word about what its staff does. Here’s an idea of what it has been up to: In Connecticut, the site of the first statewide mattress-recycling program, MRC has launched a series of public service announcements. In September, MRC provided a […]
September Mattress Sales See Strong Growth
Mattress sales climbed 8.7% in September, compared with the same month in 2014, according to the Bedding Barometer (paywall), a monthly report of U.S. mattress sales published by the International Sleep Products Association. The wholesale dollar value of those sales grew 13.6%, compared with September 2014, while the average unit selling price increased 4.5%. Total […]
Why Are So Many Americans Tired?
Why are so many Americans tired? A recent survey reveals habits that are causing us to lose sleep It’s always eye-opening to see what people say about their sleep. The following responses are the result of a recent, collaborative survey conducted by The Huffington Post and Parade magazine to find out just how many Americans […]
Mattress Sales Increase in july
U.S. bedding sales again posted gains in July, according to the Bedding Barometer, a monthly report of mattress sales published by the International Sleep Products Association (paywall). Mattress and foundation sales grew 4.2% compared with the same month in 2014, the wholesale dollar value of those units rose 6% and the average unit selling price increased […]
Sleep is critical to brain function
Sleep and brain health Getting enough zzz’s is critical to keep your mind junk free and alert. Here’s why—and how you can help your customers rest well BY LISSA COFFEY Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel […]
California approves MRC mattress recycling budget and fee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2015 Media Contact: Amanda Wall Office: (571) 482-5431 Cell: (713) 829-7748 awall@mattressrecyclingcouncil.org CALRECYCLE APPROVES MATTRESS RECYCLING COUNCIL’S RECYCLING BUDGET & FEE MATTRESS RECYCLING FEE COLLECTION BEGINS DECEMBER 30, 2015 ALEXANDRIA, VA – Today, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) approved the budget and recycling fee that the […]
Back to school, back to sleep
How can children get sufficient rest to learn and grow? Better Sleep Council spokeswoman Lissa Coffey offers these suggestions for an A+ year Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel free to share this great guidance from […]
Mattress sales jump in June
Mattress sales advanced 8% in June compared with the same month in 2014, according to the Bedding Barometer, a monthly report of U.S. mattress sales published by the International Sleep Products Association. The wholesale dollar value of those units sprang up 12.2%, while the average unit selling price increased 3.9% compared with June of last […]
An education in sleep
Better Sleep Council spokeswoman Terry Cralle offers these back-to-school suggestions for an A+ year Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel free to share this great guidance from Better Sleep Council spokeswoman Terry Cralle with your shoppers (with […]
How does your customer service rate?
Mattress retailers could be doing better—and could be doing worse When it comes to providing good customer service, mattress retailers are fair to middling, according to a new ranking from Consumer Reports magazine. In a rating of 22 types of stores, industries and services, mattress retailers stand solidly at No. 11, with a score of […]
BSC examines schooltime sleep routines
The Better Sleep Council conducted a survey that looked at the sleep routines of families with school-age children. Of 2,500 parents surveyed, 90% had children in grade school. Eighty-three percent of households were dual parent and among those, 40% of parents said they share responsibility for waking their children up for school. Parents said their children’s school start times have […]
Mattress retailers urged to attend Las Vegas seminar on complying with state mattress recycling laws
The Mattress Recycling Council, formed by mattress industry trade group the International Sleep Products Association, based in Alexandria, Virginia, will host a Las Vegas Market seminar, Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 1 p.m. (Building B, 16th floor), for retailers, manufacturers and other market attendees. The discussion will cover California, Connecticut and Rhode Island mattress-recycling laws and other topics. […]
Americans’ love-hate relationship with sleep
Sleep—wasted time or welcome rest? New BSC sleep research sheds light on Americans’ love-hate relationship with slumber Sleep research conducted by the Better Sleep Council shows Americans are conflicted about sleep: A majority of people understand sleep is necessary to recharge, restore and refresh, but their feelings toward sleep are split. The survey, conducted in […]
Bedding Barometer: Mattress sales climb in April
Mattress and foundation sales rose 2.5% in April, compared with unit sales in the same month of 2014, according to the Bedding Barometer, a monthly statistical analysis of U.S. mattress sales published by the International Sleep Products Association. The wholesale dollar value of mattresses and foundations grew by 4.7% and the average unit selling price […]
News release: Sleep, waste of time?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mary Helen Uusimaki 571-482-5436 mhuusimaki@sleepproducts.org Polly Ryder 216-533-2006 pryder@marcusthomasllc.com SLEEP – WASTE OF TIME OR WELCOME RESPITE? Better Sleep Council Research Shows Americans Are Torn on Feelings about Sleep ALEXANDRIA, Virginia – May 12, 2015 – Sleep research recently conducted by the Better Sleep Council (BSC) shows Americans are conflicted about sleep. […]
Save the date: Mattress Recycling Council information session at Las Vegas Market
The Mattress Recycling Council is hosting an information session about state recycling programs during summer Las Vegas Market. Where: World Market Center B-16 When: Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1 p.m. Attendees will learn about the Bye Bye Mattress program, the proposed fee and plans for California and Rhode Island, and get an update on the progress of Connecticut’s implementation. The […]
Sleep news for May
Picking sides Survey of bedside practices: Where Americans lie down affects sleep quality, relationships Could something as simple as picking the right side of the bed actually make a difference in how people sleep? It may, according to a new Pick Your Side survey that looks at the bedside practices of Americans and their impact […]
A sleep plan for travel
As summer approaches, your customers’ thoughts turn to upcoming vacations. These strategies should help them rest soundly while away from home BY LISSA COFFEY Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel free to share this great guidance […]
Connecticut debuts nation’s first statewide mattress-recycling program
Plan requires those who produce, sell or renovate mattresses to collect a recycling fee on each mattress and box springs sold On May 1, Connecticut’s Mattress Stewardship Plan took effect, making it the first state in the nation to launch a statewide recycling program for used mattresses and box springs. The program is administered by […]
Building a sleep sanctuary
In honor of Better Sleep Month, Sleep Savvy examines how adding bedroom ambience to your showroom floor can boost shopper comfort and increase sales. We offer a suggestions to help your customers create a restful retreat at home, too BY JULIE A. PALM In the mattress industry, we talk a lot about “selling sleep.” It’s shorthand […]
2015-16 mattress forecast
International Sleep Products Association predicts continued gains in U.S. bedding sales, dollar values The U.S. mattress industry is expected to see continued gains in both the dollar value and number of units shipped in 2015 and 2016, according to the latest forecast from the International Sleep Products Association. The forecast, released in April, expects the […]
Bedding Barometer: Mattress sales, values spike in December
Unit sales of mattresses and foundations increased 15.1% in December, compared with bed sales in the same month of 2013, according to the Bedding Barometer, a monthly sales report published by mattress-industry trade group the International Sleep Products Association. The wholesale dollar value of mattresses and foundations sold in December grew 25.1%, compared with December 2013, and […]
News from the Better Sleep Council
BSC, Diabetes Influencers team up BSC spokeswomen, health educators to participate in podcast, Twitter chat party to promote Better Sleep Month To help promote its annual “May Is Better Sleep Month” campaign, the Better Sleep Council is partnering with Diabetes Influencers to raise awareness about the relationship between sleep and health. The BSC is the […]
The power of internal innovation
Keynote speaker tells ISPA Industry Conference attendees the keys to business success are in their own backyard Inspired by his business book of the same name, John Spence’s “Awesomely Simple” keynote at the International Sleep Products Association’s 2015 Industry Conference March 4-5 in St. Petersburg, Florida, offered this important takeaway—for business success, companies must focus […]
The sleep-allergy connection
With the beauty of spring comes the agony of allergies. These insights can help your customers minimize their symptoms for restful sleep BY LISSA COFFEY Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and and tips. Feel free to share this […]
Sleep news for March
Shifting to daylight saving time Five tips from the Better Sleep Council for springing forward On Sunday, March 8, most Americans will move an hour from the morning to the evening, adding an extra 60 minutes of sunlight to the end of the day—and wreaking havoc on their sleep habits. To help ease the transition, […]
Mattress sales climb in January
The Bedding Barometer, a monthly statistical analysis of U.S. mattress sales (paywall) published by the International Sleep Products Association, shows that mattress sales climbed a healthy 7.8% in January, as compared with January 2014. ISPA says the wholesale dollar value of mattresses and foundations sold in the U.S. in January grew 12%. The average unit selling […]
U.S. mattress sales see modest increase in November
Unit sales of mattresses and foundations in the United States increased by 0.5% in November 2014, compared with unit sales in the same month of 2013, according to the International Sleep Products Association’s Bedding Barometer (paywall). The wholesale dollar value of those units also grew 2.5%, compared with November 2013, and the average unit selling price […]
March mattress-recycling updates
Connecticut approves recycling plan Mattress Recycling Council program to begin May 1 The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has approved the Connecticut Mattress Stewardship Plan developed by the Mattress Recycling Council, a nonprofit organization created by the mattress industry to develop and manage mandated statewide mattress-recycling programs. The approval Dec. 31 makes Connecticut […]
The ‘sweet sleep’ diet
To slumber well, avoid some foods and increase your intake of others. Keep the list handy for evening eating BY LISSA COFFEY Editor’s note: Savvy mattress retailers want to do everything they can to help their customers sleep better, including offering them sound advice and tips. Feel free to share this great guidance from Better […]
2015 Retail forecast
Retailers should enjoy a gradually improving economy in 2015. Rising employment, a healthier housing market and a willingness by larger corporations to invest in infrastructure should add some needed oomph to consumer shopping and make cash registers ring louder and longer BY PHILLIP M. PERRY Blue skies and cool breezes—that’s the economic forecast as the […]
The Better Sleep Council: A sound message for sound sleep
For more than 35 years, the Better Sleep Council has moved the industry forward by helping you help your customers get a good night’s sleep. Today, it’s stronger and more committed than ever to promoting healthy sleep for healthy sales BY BETH ENGLISH Quick—name the three major components of a healthy life. Diet, exercise and […]
Connecticut statewide mattress-recycling plan approved
BedTimes magazine reported today that the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has approved the Connecticut Mattress Stewardship Plan developed by the Mattress Recycling Council. The plan goes into effect May 1. MRC is a non-profit created by the mattress-industry trade group, the International Sleep Products Association, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. Connecticut is the first state to […]
Sleep news round-up
Nightmares, demystified What’s the difference between a nightmare and a bad dream and what can you do about them? Antonio Zadra, a professor of psychology at Université de Montréal and director of the school’s Dream Laboratory, answered a few questions about nightmares in the October issue of Real Simple. O What exactly qualifies as a nightmare? […]
U.S. mattress sales rise 5.8% in October
Unit sales of mattresses and foundations increased by 5.8% in October, compared with unit sales in the same month of 2013, according to the International Sleep Products Association’s Bedding Barometer. The wholesale dollar value of those units grew 9.3%, compared with October 2013, and the average unit selling price increased 3.3%. Year-to-date unit sales and […]
Generation Z—coming to a store near you
A recent national survey from Boston’s Northeastern University reveals that members of Generation Z—those born in the mid-1990s or later—are highly self-directed, demonstrated by a strong desire to work for themselves, study entrepreneurship and design their own programs of study in college. According to the survey, 63% of the respondents—all between the ages of 16 and […]
Hiring for the long haul
Smart hiring managers use a variety of methods to find employees who will stick around. Tom Gimbel, founder of LaSalle Network, a nationally recognized staffing firm based in Chicago, shares these strategies at Fastcompany.com: 1. Always be interviewing. The right time to be interviewing is before you are in need of a new employee, Gimbel […]
MRC staff grows with two hires
The Mattress Recycling Council has hired a program coordinator and a marketing and communications coordinator. Mark Patti has been named MRC’s Southern California program coordinator. He will work with municipalities, retailers and other generators of mattresses, as well as transporters and recyclers, as the MRC develops and implements its mattress-recycling program in the state. “We […]
Poll: Millennials less invested in recycling
Conventional wisdom that Millennials are more eco-conscious than their parents and grandparents may not be accurate—at least when it comes to recycling, according to a Harris Poll conducted in November for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. The online survey found that younger adults (ages 18 to 34) are significantly less likely to always recycle—just […]
Gov. Brown signs bill to tweak California mattress law
California Gov. Jerry Brown recently signed a bill that adds specificity and assurances that preserve regulatory oversight to mattress-recycling legislation that was originally signed in 2013. The International Sleep Products Association supported the changes to the law, which were introduced through legislation in August and signed by Brown in September. The Mattress Recycling Council, a […]
Three lessons from the Apple Store
Some furniture stores are segregating or creating entirely different sleep shops solely focused on sleep. Many specialty-sleep stores use multimedia to educate consumers while they are in store. Other retailers help prequalify a shopper’s desired comfort/firmness by having her try preselected mattresses in different firmness levels to further reduce confusion and streamline her shopping experience. […]
ISPA expects gains in bedding unit shipments, wholesale values in next two years
The U.S. mattress industry is projected to enjoy healthy increases in both units shipped and the value of those shipments for the next two years, according to a new forecast from the International Sleep Products Association. The forecast, released in October, projects that the number of mattresses and foundations shipped will rise by 2% and the […]
Real Simple offers on-point, mattress-shopping advice
Article has useful tips for buying new bed When consumer magazines advise their readers on buying a new mattress, the editors at Sleep Savvy often hold our breath as we read along: We’ve encountered too many articles that tell consumers foundations are a rip-off and that there’s little difference between mattress brands or technologies. A […]
MRC releases educational videos on mattress recycling
The Mattress Recycling Council, a nonprofit organization formed by the International Sleep Products Association, has released three videos that provide retailers in Connecticut, California and Rhode Island the basic information they need about new recycling laws as preparations for launching mattress-recycling programs in those states move ahead. Connecticut is the first state to implement its […]
Experts to tackle guidelines for optimal sleep
How much sleep is too much or too little? A panel of medical specialists and researchers, funded in part by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hopes to find a more definitive answer to that question, according to a story published Monday in The Wall Street Journal. Experts tapped by the CDC, the American Academy […]
Mattress and sleep tips for managing arthritis pain
BY TERRY CRALLE The term arthritis can refer to many different rheumatic diseases and conditions, the most common being osteoarthritis. Arthritis is characterized by joint stiffness, swelling, pain and inflammation and affects approximately 52.5 million Americans. According to the CDC, it is the most common cause of disability. People who suffer from arthritis tend to […]
Consumers share mattress-shopping concerns
BSC research reveals confusion, hesitation about buying a new bed set The Better Sleep Council’s latest research uncovered reasons why consumers hesitate to shop for and purchase a new mattress. Understanding the consumer mindset can help retailers sell the value of better sleep that comes with a new quality mattress set, says Mary Helen Uusimaki, vice […]
Mattress recyclers to the rescue
The International Sleep Products Association maintains a mattress recyclers locator for the United States and Canada. To find a recycler in your area, visit the Bye Bye Mattress Recycling Locator. Recyc-Mattresses Corp. Headquarters: Montreal Founded: 2007 Principals: Eric Castro and Pascal Cohen Mission statement: “Recyc-Mattresses’ commitment is to help protect the environment.” Fees: Fees vary depending on the […]
What you need to know about mattress recycling
WHAT IT MEANS HOW IT WORKS WHY IT MATTERS BY JULIE A. PALM Retailers selling mattresses and foundations in three states soon will need to make some changes to the way they operate, as part of those states’ efforts to recycle bed components and reduce the number of mattresses and foundations heading […]
Bedding Barometer: Revenues up in April
According to the International Sleep Products Association’s Bedding Barometer (pay wall), a monthly sales report on the U.S. mattress industry, unit sales of mattresses and foundations decreased 1.2% in April, as compared with the same month in 2013. The wholesale dollar value of those units grew 3%, as compared with April 2013. The average unit selling […]
Internet-only Casper offers solution to ‘terrors’ of mattress shopping
What happens when today’s connected Millennials have bad experiences at mattress retailers? Sure, they vent in social media, but some—like the founders of new mattress brand Casper Sleep—take things a step further. They attract $1.6 million in venture capital and start their own e-commerce mattress brand, targeting dissatisfied Gen Y-ers. Watch New York-based Casper Sleep’s […]
BSC consumer research: They like you–they really do!
In recent qualitative research, the Better Sleep Council studied the thoughts, feelings and behaviors of a group of sleep-deprived mattress shoppers. In the process, the BSC uncovered this myth-buster—most study participants thoroughly enjoyed their interactions with retail sales associates. Despite feeling overwhelmed by store choice and massive selection, despite anxiety about high prices and trepidation […]
True colors: What is your logo saying?
Before they set foot in your store, consumers have formed an impression of your company based on your logo or, more specifically, your logo’s colors, according to an article posted March 31 on FastCompany.com. For logos, many mattress retailers favor blue or red—or a combination of both. Blue makes sense: It’s traditionally associated with peacefulness, […]
Better Sleep Month targets consumer confidence, purchasing indecision
Join the push to ‘Get on Top’ this Memorial Day A NEW awareness campaign to encourage Americans to “Get on Top of a New Mattress” kicked off May 1 as part of the Better Sleep Council’s annual Better Sleep Month. The BSC is the consumer education arm of the International Sleep Products Association. Get on […]
Bedding Barometer: Mattress sales slide in February
U.S. mattress sales declined in February, as compared with the same month of the previous year, according to the Bedding Barometer (pay wall), a monthly sales report published by the International Sleep Products Association. Unit sales decreased by 3.4% , while the wholesale dollar value of those units decreased by 0.9%. The average unit selling price […]
Industry leaders give specifics on recycling programs
Fees, education, legislative outlook top ISPA EXPO session The International Sleep Products Association announced several important updates regarding recent mattress-recycling laws at ISPA EXPO, March 26-29 in New Orleans. Legislation was passed in 2013 in Connecticut, California and Rhode Island. The session included the following information for bedding retailers: Point-of-purchase recycling fee According to Mike […]
‘Get on top of a new mattress’
BSC launches new Better Sleep Month Campaign “Get on top of a new mattress and get to the bottom of making the right purchase” is the theme of this year’s Better Sleep Month, which begins May 1 and is sponsored by the Better Sleep Council, the consumer education arm of the International Sleep Products Association. […]
Bedding Barometer: U.S. mattress sales increase slightly in January
U.S. mattress sales increased in January, as compared with the same month in 2013, according to the latest Bedding Barometer (pay wall), a monthly sales report published by the International Sleep Products Association. Unit sales rose 1.2%, while the wholesale dollar value of those units remained flat. The average unit selling price decreased 1.2%, compared with the […]
What’s in a product label?
A lot, thanks to the marketing efforts of mattress makers Mattress manufacturers are sharing more information—and making it easier to present and sell their products—via the creative use of tags and printed labels. It’s a trend Sleep Savvy has noticed while reporting on new products at recent bedding shows. Labeling is a way for individual […]
Selling better sleep
How to promote a quality mattress message that improves consumers’ lives BY GARY JAMES The bedding industry could do a much better job of explaining to consumers the core idea that a quality mattress can improve sleep and quality sleep improves life, bedding executives agree. “If you were to analyze all the messaging that the […]
Mattress recycling facilities in the United States and Canada
Use this Mattress Recycling Facilities Locator to find a recycler in the United States or Canada.
Go to jail
Notorious slammers turned into luxurious hotels If a night in jail is on your bucket list, well, that’s just weird, but thanks to a trend of converting old jails and prisons into upscale boutique-like hotels, you can still have a good story about a night behind bars—with no inconvenient criminal activity required. The Charles Street […]
Retailer happily loses big in Super Bowl wager
Family-owned Harkness Furniture in Tacoma, Wash., is reimbursing customers close to $70,000 after the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl. Prior to the game, the retailer ran a special promotion promising to refund all furniture and mattress purchases made Thursday through Sunday before the big game—if the Seahawks managed to return their opening kickoff for a […]
Magazine issues bedding review
Consumer Reports’ analysis delivers mixed bag In its annual review of mattresses, the March issue of Consumer Reports provides a four-page package of mattress scores, retail store ratings, purchasing advice, mattress myths and insights into better sleep. The magazine evaluates 12 innerspring and 12 memory foam models through a series of comprehensive testing, yielding its […]
Bedding Barometer: U.S. Mattress sales see modest gains in December
U.S. mattress sales rose in December, compared with the same month in 2012, according to the Bedding Barometer (pay wall), a monthly sales report published by the International Sleep Products Association. Unit sales (mattresses and foundations) increased 4.8%, and the wholesale value of those units rose 7%, compared with the same month in 2012. For the same […]
Mattress-recycling levels reach 1 million pounds for West Virginia retailer
Mattress retailer Innovative Mattress Solutions recycled more than 1 million pounds of mattress material in 2013. The Winfield, W. Va.-based company does business as Mattress Warehouse, Sleep Outfitters and Mattress King in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee and Alabama. According to Spring Back Mattress Recycling, an award-winning mattress recycler based in Nashville, Tenn., IMS […]
6 tips for a more creative retail business
The 21st-century workplace faces many challenges, including a diverse and multigenerational workforce, limited resources and ineffective leadership. Employees want leaders who recognize their abilities and make them feel valued and respected. They also want a challenging workplace that encourages experimentation. Glenn Llopis, in an article recently posted on Forbes online, offers these six tips for […]
5 ways to get comfortable being uncomfortable
The rewards of risk taking BY WALT GRASSL Early in Karl’s career, he had no problem accepting a promotion from retail sales associate to the mattress store’s sales manager. But a few years later, when asked to be store manager, self-doubt became his constant companion. He agonized over the decision for days. He had trouble […]
5 tips for skillful succession planning
BY LOIS LANG When it comes to family business succession planning, one of these three things is certain: Most family business leaders don’t do it, they don’t do it well or they wait to do it until it’s too late. While the longevity of chief executive officers in nonfamily businesses is an average of six […]
Half of Americans are sleep deprived
Are you feeling sluggish this morning? You’re not alone. The latest Better Sleep Council survey conducted this spring reveals that more than half of Americans are don’t get enough sleep, which can have dire physical and mental consequences. According to the BSC, which is the consumer arm of the International Sleep Products Association, it’s a […]
Latinos set shopping trends
Latinos view shopping differently than their non-Latino counterparts, a study finds. For the fastest-growing demographic in the United States today, shopping is a social experience that involves many sources of information, their senses, multiple generations and trendsetting. The survey, conducted by Lapiz, a marketing agency for emerging cultures based in Chicago and an affiliate of […]
Sleep is key to wellness
The staff of Self magazine recently selected 55 things that contribute to good health and asked experts to rank them. The results were published in the December issue, and, not surprisingly, sleep was considered “really important.” The article noted that losing even a half-hour of sleep can affect your mood and weaken the motivation to […]
Sleeping pills linked to pneumonia
Researchers at the University of Nottingham in England have discovered that patients taking a class of commonly prescribed sleeping pills called benzodiazepines are at an increased risk of contracting and dying from pneumonia. Scientists studied about 5,000 patients who had been diagnosed with pneumonia. They were each compared with six similar people, matched by age […]
Diet can affect sleep duration
“You are what you eat,” the saying goes, but is what you eat playing a role in how much you sleep? According to a study by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, diet may influence sleep duration. People who report eating a large variety of foods—an indicator of an overall healthy […]
Two-thirds of Americans don’t get a restful night’s sleep
If you’re counting sheep at night, chances are you’re doing it on your side, in your pajamas and between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on a Sunday, according to a national sleep survey conducted by Costa Mesa, Calif.-based home furnishings retailer Anna’s Linens. The study reveals that 74% of Americans wear pajamas to bed (8% […]
Chicago named worst metro area for bedbugs
The dubious honor of being deemed the most bedbug-infested city in the United States goes to Chicago, according to pest control giant Orkin’s ranking of the top 50 bedbug cities for 2012. Last year, Orkin’s parent company, Rollins, which operates eight pest control brands nationwide, saw a 33% increase in its bedbug business over 2011. […]
Sleep news roundup
Research: Belly fat disrupts sleep quality Dropping extra pounds enhances the quality of sleep among people who are overweight, according to a new study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. “We found that improvement in sleep quality was significantly associated with overall weight loss, especially belly fat,” says Dr. Kerry Stewart, professor of […]
ISPA expects more state-level bills in 2013
The International Sleep Products Association and the mattress industry have long supported the need for mattress recycling. As a result, last year ISPA sought a cost-effective, efficient national solution to waste problems associated with used mattresses. At the same time, the entire industry faced costly legislation in 2012 in three states that would have forced […]
Don’t go there: Phrases that get on customers’ nerves
We’ve heard them over and over again—tired phrases that are repeated ad nauseam on TV, in the workplace and, yes, at retail. On the website FirstToKnow, Rick Andreoli took the liberty of tallying the most annoying cliches currently in circulation. Sleep Savvy offers this abbreviated ranking. Retailers can post the list to encourage sales associates […]