Survey shows that even after concerns about privacy, fake news and censorship, U.S. adults’ use of social media is the same as in early 2018 In 2018, Facebook Seemed to be involved in controversy after controversy — improperly sharing data with Cambridge Analytica, a September security breach and disseminating “fake news,” just to name a […]
Men and Women Search for Jobs Differently
How do women and men differ when looking for jobs? LinkedIn, a business and employment-oriented website with headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, released its Gender Insight Report in March to answer just that question. Based on interactions between companies and job candidates and recruiters on its site, the report noted: Men and women are equally open […]
U.S. Mattress Sales Drop in 4th Quarter
U.S. mattress sales slid in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with the same three-month period in 2017, according to Bedding Market Quarterly, a sales trends report published by the International Sleep Products Association. Fourth-quarter sales of mattresses and stationary foundations decreased 15.5%, while wholesale values of those shipments dropped 9.2%, compared with the same […]
Mature Employees Wanted
In a tight job market, consider hiring workers at or past retirement age. You’ll be surprised by the strengths they bring Are you looking for enthusiastic employees who are creative and innovative? Nope, we’re not talking about millennials; we’re referring to their parents and grandparents — baby boomers. Although Generation Y is the largest demographic […]
NRF Forecasts Strong Retail Growth in 2019
Expected gains of 4.4% following a strong 4.6% increase posted in 2018 Retail sales in 2019 will increase between 3.8% and 4.4% to more than $3.8 trillion, according to the Washington, D.C.-based National Retail Federation. The forecast, released in February, comes despite threats from an ongoing trade war, a volatile stock market and the effects […]
ISPA Releases New Industry Forecast
Analysis projects drop in sales in 2018, followed by modest growth in 2019 and 2020 When final numbers are tallied, the U.S. mattress industry is expected to see declines in the dollar value and number of units shipped in 2018, according to the latest forecast from the International Sleep Products Association. The forecast, released in […]
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 […]
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%) […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]