Retailers seek fresh ideas, merchandise in bedding
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, November 2, 2008
HIGH POINT — Retailers looking for new products to spark sales in a tough business climate found plenty to choose from here. Value-priced lines were a hit in many showrooms, but some high-end offerings, including the new Martha Stewart mattress line, also enjoyed strong receptions.
While traffic in mattress spaces was light — a reflection, in part, of a downturn in bedding sales this year — retailers who came to market found a smorgasbord of new products, ranging from ergonomic and eco-friendly mattresses to sophisticated new pillow designs designed to provide health benefits.
Bedding producers found positive signs at the market.
“The encouraging thing I've experienced with the people at this market is that they are thinking about their business differently, and they are prepared to change,” said Larry Rogers, CEO of Sealy.
“That attitude will lead us through this challenging economy.”
Added Gerry Borreggine, president of Therapedic: “In perhaps the worst economic climate in decades, High Point has pulled off a pretty decent market.” Traffic was down, he said, but “it's been a good market with good customers.”
John DeFalco, executive vice president at Primo International said, “Our bedding business has been very good. We are seeing a lot of very good retailers.”
Natural materials were touted in showrooms across the market, ranging from Martha Stewart: The Good Bed and Natura to I Care Sleep and Therapedic.
I Care Sleep said it did well with its Earthcare line, which it is selling to furniture and bedding retailers. “With the combination of Hickory Springs' Preserve foam and bamboo covers and our use of latex, a natural product, we feel we are making a strong environmental statement in the industry,” said Jim Wall, general manager.
Therapedic introduced its i-care Elite line, a private-label program offered under the I Care Sleep label. Borreggine worked with I Care officials to develop that line.
Ergonomic pillow designs were unveiled by a number of producers, including Oxygen Pillow and LMP Worldwide.
Oxygen Pillow works to improve ease of nighttime breathing, while LMP's pillows properly align the body while sleeping, officials said.
And Outlast Technologies introduced branded sleep accessories, including pillows.
Promotional beds were featured in several showrooms. Five Star showed its line, retailing from $299 to $899. The core of the offering, said Donna Zett, president, is between $499 and $599.
“I thought dealers would be looking for the low-end product, but they are using $299 and $399 as step ups to get where they should be,” she said.
Chinese importer Stylution USA showed a line of compressed mattresses retailing in sets from $599 to $999, with a ready-to-assemble foundation and two memory foam pillows included in those prices.
“With the consumer hanging on tighter to their dollars,” said Stylution USA President Ed Scott, “you have to add value. This is a way to give value to our retailers and their customers.”
Carolina Mattress Guild showcased best sellers retailing from $499 to $999.
President Neal Grigg said the promotional business “is doing well at retail,” and noted that he found retailers in good moods, despite the tough times.
Restonic, making its return to High Point, did well with its “falling prices” promotion, with beds retailing from $499 to $799, reflecting $100 price cuts, to offer retailers strong values, said Vice President Laurie Tokarz.
“The dealers that we saw are looking for ways to improve their close ratio,” she said, “and are more willing to make adjustments to their assortments than we found a few months ago.”
Also doing well was Natura, which unveiled a much larger showroom that drew a “phenomenal reaction,” according to Ralph Rossdeutscher, president.
Natura continues to thrive with a formula of touting eco-friendly bedding and a growing family of sleep accessories, ranging from pillows to aromatherapy sprays. All of the company's mattress lines feature natural materials.
Primo International exhibited a wide range of imported and Canadian-made bedding. Company officials were touting a new patent the company has obtained that covers a process of compressing and packaging mattresses, a development that will give Primo a significant advantage in the marketplace, officials said.
Merinos Home Furnishings opening display room, Boyles addition
‘Mega vessels' likely to boost capacity, stabilize freight rates
HOM Furniture adds flooring to six Twin Cities stores
Dan Masters joins Furniture Brands as VP, business development
21 companies from Turkey, Taiwan and China to exhibit at Showtime
Featured Company
-
FurnitureCore.com
FurnitureCore.com is a dynamic web application aimed at the furniture industry. Retailers and manufacturers alike will find our deep reserve of tools to be exactly what their furniture business needs.www.furniturecore.com... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
