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Classic Sleep Products hires Justin Gannon

Will serve as vice president of sales

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, May 20, 2009

Justin Gannon

JESSUP, Md. — Classic Sleep Products has hired former retailer Justin Gannon as vice president of sales.

Gannon spent seven years at Upper Marlboro, Md.-based Mattress Discounters, rising from director of buying to vice president of merchandising and marketing. During that time, he was responsible for the remerchandising strategy that led to significant increases in average selling prices and margins. Gannon also oversaw the marketing direction of the company.

Prior to joining Mattress Discounters, Gannon was a corporate account manager with Sealy.
"As we went through the process of looking at who the next head of our sales division should be, we realized that retailers don't need another salesperson, but rather a real partner who understands their business and what they need to generate new sales and profits," said Classic CEO Michael Zippelli. "There was no question that person was Justin, as he is widely credited with remerchandising and growing one of the best retail brands in the country."

According to Gannon, the challenge for retailers today is to generate traffic and close deals, something he believes Classic products can facilitate. "If you look at what Classic has accomplished over the years," he said, "it has gone from a high-end brand to now more effectively offering price points across the full spectrum of retailer needs. Moreover, the entrepreneurial and independent nature of the company gives it an unmatched ability to respond to dealer needs."

Gannon said his priorities are to hire additional sales associates in parts of the country where Classic has some geographic opportunities, and fine-tuning a new training program for retail sales associates to help them better sell specialty sleep products.

The VP of sales position had been vacant.

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Classic Sleep hires Gannon

May 25, 2009

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