Bedding units, dollar values jump in February for second month, ISPA reports

David Perry -- Furniture Today, March 26, 2012

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The bedding industry recorded a second straight stellar monthly performance, with units jumping 18.6% in February and dollars soaring 27.1%.

The February Bedding Barometer report from the International Sleep Products Assn., which represents the performance of 18 bedding producers, reported a 7.2% increase in the average unit price, to $204.54.

But bedding observers said the report may be overstating industry performance due to the effect of Top 10 producer International Bedding's demise last year. International Bedding was not listed as a contributor to the Bedding Barometer, and its business has been picked up by a number of producers who do contribute to the ISPA report, the observers said.

For the first two months of the year, bedding units are up 18.6% while the dollar value of bedding shipments is up 28%, ISPA said.

The reporting companies account for about 65% of total bedding units and about 74% of the wholesale revenue of the full market, ISPA said. It notes that the report "may not necessarily reflect the performance of the full mattress industry."