Serta to resume giving data to ISPA
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, November 2, 2009
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Sales data from Serta numbers will now be used in compiling statistical reports published by the International Sleep Products Assn., ISPA officials said.
Serta, which says it is the industry's second-largest producer, had stopped reporting its sales data to ISPA several years ago when it resigned its ISPA membership. But now the company says it is aiming to improve the accuracy of the ISPA reports — widely followed in industry and financial circles — by supplying the data, although it has not rejoined ISPA.
Serta said it will begin reporting sales data for inclusion in ISPA's statistical reports beginning in January. The information will help ISPA develop the aggregate industry data to be published in the 2009 Mattress Industry Report of Sales and Trends, as well as ISPA's monthly Bedding Barometer.
“We at Serta realize the importance of accurate industry data, and look forward to participating once again in ISPA's statistics program,” said Serta President Bob Sherman.
“I am confident that including Serta's numbers in the ISPA reports will improve the reliability and coverage of this useful industry resource.”
“We are very happy with Serta's decision, and look forward to working with them,” noted ISPA Chair Don Wright, chairman and chief marketing officer of Wright of Thomasville. “Including Serta's sales data in our published reports will fill a large gap that has existed for several years.”
Bill Creekmuir, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Simmons and chair of the ISPA Statistics Committee, added, “Being able to publish aggregate industry data that includes Serta means that the association can report actual sales value data for over 80% of the entire industry.”
