Mary Best
Editor in chief
Last week, the editors of Sleep Savvy and BedTimes magazines traveled to the summer Las Vegas Market. Outside, temperatures rose to convection-oven levels, but, inside—at a relatively slow show—we saw some cool new products and technologies in mattress showrooms.
Look for our Las Vegas Market wrap-up report in the September issues of both publications. But, in the meantime, check out some short, snappy new-product videos embedded at the BedTimes Blog, and to pique your curiosity further, here are several show highlights:
- There was considerable news under the bed as metal bed frame makers unveiled a number of new products and product features. Hollywood Bed Frame Co. launched the E3Premium Bed Frame, a hinged, foldable unit that ships and assembles with ease. Mantua Mfg. Co. introduced the decorative Express Yourself Series of metal frames with customizable bed legs and “valances” that hide the metal bed rails. Adjustable base makers had their share of news, too.
The Vi-Spring Signatory Superb has a more plush feel.
- In mattresses, there were tweaks, improvements and extensions to existing lines. For instance, ultra-premium U.K.-based producer Vi-Spring changed the way it blends and arranges the fills in its Signatory Superb bed to create a plusher feel, and it wrapped the bed in a luxurious wool and silk cover.
- Simmons led the way in new technology with its “Simulator” mobile app for RSAs and its implementation of Wright’s RetaiLive program. The Simulator is fun to use and gives sales associates x-ray vision, allowing them to take shoppers deep inside the core of the bed. RetaiLive gives shoppers and RSAs access to a host of additional product information and videos via their mobile devices.
Comfort Revolution showcased pretty, scented pillows with satin gussets.
- We also saw tons of pillow introductions with new cover fabrics, fragrances, combinations of fill types, pretty gussets and more. Mattress and accessory makers have definitely gone pillow crazy.
We’ll touch on all of these trends and much more in next month’s issues. Stay tuned!
