Mattress Metrics: Mattress Purchases

Cutting replacement cycle a matter of marketing

David Perry -- Furniture Today, October 1, 2012

It's time to consider some big-picture bedding issues. And one of the biggest is: How to reduce the mattress replacement cycle?
     It's an axiom of the industry that consumers replace their mattresses about every 10 years, but that figure fluctuates based on a complex set of variables, including the state of the economy and the state of the previous mattress purchased.
     These figures from an important National Sleep Foundation Bedroom Poll show that 15% of consumers last purchased a mattress in the last year. If that pace were consistent over time, it would equate to a mattress replacement cycle of less than seven years.
     Retailers offer various messages about mattress replacement times. "Replace Every 8" is one popular message. The industry's Better Sleep Council says consumers should consider replacing their sleep sets every five to seven years.
     One key to getting consumers to consider a new mattress purchase is to offer them new beds that promise a significantly better night of sleep. The excitement currently surrounding gel beds suggests they could be such a game-changing product.

Mattress purchases

When was the last time you purchased a mattress for your bedroom?

Source: National Sleep Foundation 2012 Bedroom Poll