America's Mattress opens 25 new sleep shops
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, September 21, 2009
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — America's Mattress, the Serta-exclusive network of sleep shops, said it has opened 25 new sleep shops this year.
Five of the shops are owned and operated by first-time sleep shop owners, while the others are part of aggressive expansion plans by already successful Serta-exclusive shop owners, the retailer said.
The America's Mattress network ranks as a Top 10 bedding retailer, and is the nation's largest network of independently owned and operated sleep shops with almost 400 stores nationwide, the retailer said.
Officials of Serta said they work with the retailers to help them be successful. A new initiative for the sleep shops is helping them keep their costs down and stay profitable during the economic slowdown, officials said.
Serta President Bob Sherman credits the success of the America's Mattress retailers to their passion and dedication. “The strength of the America's Mattress program lies with our dealers, and their ability to grow while the industry shrinks is a testament to their business acumen,” he said.
One America's Mattress success story, according to Sherman, is that of Patrick and Ashley Unverferth, a husband and wife team that has successfully operated an America's Mattress chain in Grand Junction, Colo., since 2004. This year the Unverferths opened an additional store in Santa Fe, N.M., and three stores in Albuquerque, N.M.
“Serta's continued support of our America's Mattress stores has allowed us to grow our company successfully,” said Patrick Unverferth. “We have been able to achieve continued growth during these difficult economic times. We are excited to expand our company and gain market share.”
Other companies in the Serta-exclusive shops network that are growing this year are American Mattress in the Chicago and Indianapolis markets; America's Mattress in Atlanta; Mattress King in Nashville, Tenn.; Mattress Direct in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, La.; Mattress Discounters in Pittsburgh; Mattress Express in Clarksville, Tenn.; Mattress Outlet in eastern Washington and Seattle; Bedding Co. in Omaha; and The Mattress Store in Los Angeles, officials said.
Joining the Serta network are Rod and Michael Avedikian, who opened their first Serta-exclusive sleep shop in Fresno, Calif., in May. They are furniture industry veterans.
“We have always known Serta to be a manufacturer of outstanding products,” said Rod Avedikian. “What really impressed us about the program was the layout of the concept store, because it really makes the retail floor feel more like home. We feel confident that this will help attract and keep customers for years to come.”
Also opening new locations this year are first-time Serta-network sleep shop owners in Springfield, Ore.; Danville, Ky.; Columbia, Mo.; and Roxboro, N.C.
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Dec 14, 2011 -
America's Mattress unveils new store concept
Apr 17, 2008 -
Mattress Discounters buys N.H. sleep shops
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Comfort Solutions turns up the heat
Apr 25, 2009 -
Art Van Furniture opening first sleep shop
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