Bedding in full bloom as spring market opens
David Perry, Executive editor -- Furniture Today, April 19, 2004
In spring, a young buyer's thoughts turn to … bedding?
Pardon us for that twist on a famous saying, but it's our job to keep the mattress category front and center. And that means reminding you buyers in High Point this week that your trip to the Furniture Capital of the World won't be complete without a look at the latest bedding lines.
(Note: We need to change that title to the Furniture and Bedding Capital of the World. I'll get to work on that.)
Two members of bedding's Big Four, Sealy and Serta, will be showing their wares at market, and three other Top 10 producers, Therapedic, Englander and Kingsdown, also are part of the market mix.
Other notable bedding producers here include Fraenkel, Bemco, Hypnos, United Sleep Products and Weil's Sleep Products. Carolina Mattress Guild shows at its factory and showroom on Business 85
In addition, fast-growing visco-elastic foam leader Tempur-Pedic shows here, as does Comfortaire, a marketer of air beds. Strobel and Boyd Specialty Sleep are regulars too, part of a significant specialty sleep presence. Natura, also in that category, has a new showroom, space C712 in the International Home Furnishings Center. And Gold Bond, a leading futon producer, is back in its IHFC showroom. Wolf, another futon major, also is in the IHFC.
On the visco side, Thurmo-Pudic USA is based in High Point, and Comfor-Pedic is making its first High Point showing, in the Emerald Home Furnishings showroom in the Cramco building.
That's not a comprehensive list of bedding producers in High Point. I'm sure I've left a company or two out. Hey, there's a lot going on.
Which brings us to the following quiz: What do Tempur-Pedic, Thurmo-Pudic, Comfor-Pedic and Therapedic have in common? Yes, they all market visco-elastic bedding (along with several other companies). If you have trouble keeping those names straight, you are not alone. I routinely check the spelling of Tempur-Pedic to make sure I've got it right. Pudics and Pedics are running amok in this category, not to mention Tempurs, Theras and Thurmos, if you follow my drift. In this world, a Comfor-Pedic should find a comfortable home.
My read on this market is that visco bedding again will be one of the big stories. Consumers are asking for visco bedding at retail, I'm told. And my producer friends are all over that trend.
If you are a buyer and you've got any unscheduled time, check out some bedding companies. Remember: Bedding sets the sales pace on many retail floors. By adding to your bedding assortment you will boost your sales. And your boss will probably give you a big raise for being so smart.
Have a great market.
