After the ups and downs of 2023, there’s a lot to look forward to in 2024.
Hello from 2024! Crazy, right? Ushered in with loud cheers and generous sprinklings of gold and silver confetti, every new year brings with it a glittering promise of renewal. Whether you prefer going out or staying in to celebrate the passage of time, when the clock strikes midnight, most of us are probably thinking about the year ahead.
Given the economic headwinds of 2023, it’s fair to say that there might be a caution hangover coming into the new year. As retailers deal with various challenges, I wanted to share one of my favorite quotes attributed to writer Damian Barr: “We are not all in the same boat. We are in the same storm.” So, let’s find some silver linings, shall we? Because at Sleep Savvy, there’s a lot to look forward to this year.
If the picks for the 2024 colors of the year are any indication of what lies ahead, finding calm amid the chaos will be a focus. Selections from paint companies like Behr, Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore foretell that this year will be awash in soothing blues, muted greens and dark neutrals representing tranquility, meditation and a return to nature. We interviewed color expert Sally Augustin, principal of La Grange, Illinois-based Design With Science, to dive into the psychology behind this year’s color choices and find out how to incorporate them into retail settings. Flip to the “Shades of Cool” feature on page 18 to check them out. Keep them in mind if you have any renovations in the works or are looking for a relatively inexpensive, but trendy, way to spruce up your store.
Another exciting update — Retail Road Trip is back! We hit the road and headed to Frederick, Maryland, to visit Mattress Warehouse, the second-largest independent bedding retailer in the United States. CEO Bill Papettas shared the company’s ambitious growth plans and how it achieves a merchandising mix so that there’s something for everyone and every budget. We have more trips planned throughout the year and we can’t wait to travel with you. Stay tuned!
Speaking of traveling, there’s a good chance you’re reading this magazine at the winter Las Vegas Market. While you’re perusing the latest mattress collections, don’t sleep on accessories. In this issue’s Product Spotlight, contributing writer Julie A. Palm shares how pillows can strengthen any retail strategy and boost overall tickets. Check out her roundup of some of the comfiest pillows around.
While no one can perfectly predict the future, we can at least go into this year with open eyes and an open mind by being willing to accept all the challenges and opportunities that will inevitably arise. Whichever way you are feeling about the new year — calm, anxious or optimistic — remember that we will navigate through it together. Happy 2024!
