Welcome to your future!
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, March 3, 2002
This is a big month for bedding professionals from around the world, with two major shows on tap in this country.
That's one of the reasons we're serving up this big presentation on key bedding issues. The report you are now holding makes a powerful statement, we hope, about the rich opportunities in the wide world of bedding.
Bedding continues to rank at the very top of the list of profitable home furnishings categories. And the two shows this month — the International Sleep Products Assn.'s 2002 Expo in Denver and the Futon and Specialty Sleep Expo in Chicago, hosted by the Specialty Sleep Assn. and the Futon Assn. International — can help suppliers, producers and retailers find even greater profit opportunities. One of the reasons for bedding's profitability is the strong community of suppliers and producers that continues to nourish the category. That community's spirit of cooperation and shared sense of mission will be much in evidence at the two trade shows.
We're doing our part to foster community spirit with a number of features in this report. We are looking at all the key segments of the bedding industry — suppliers, manufacturers, trade groups, retailers and even consumers. Each of those segments will be in the spotlight, at one time or another, at the two trade shows this month.
Check out our Suppliers' outlook section, in which you'll meet some of the exhibitors at the 2002 Expo and get their assessments for business prospects this year.
You'll also find an overview of the ISPA show and get a preview of the Better Sleep Council's ambitious plans to increase consumers' awareness of the role bedding plays in giving us all a good night's sleep.
Also, a leading futon producer offers "Eight reasons why retailers should consider futons." And you'll also find an overview of the Futon and Specialty Sleep Expo.
Retail success stories are also popular, and we've got one of the best to share with you. Read how Waterbed City reinvented itself as City Furniture, and see how that retailer successfully changed its focus from waterbeds to innerspring bedding.
And don't miss our Q&A session with key bedding leaders. They offer some provocative answers to the question: If you could change one thing in the bedding industry, what would it be?
Those are just some of the highlights you'll find on these pages.
And, on a personal note, let me tell you what a career highlight it is for me to be back with you all (or ya'll, the way we say it in High Point).
Thanks for your warm welcome. Now, on with the shows!
| David Perry |
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