Recession’s winds to claim bedding victims?
High winds swept through my neck of the woods in North Carolina the other day, felling trees and knocking limbs to the ground. Could that be a metaphor for what’s coming in the mattress industry this year?
Just as nature’s storms weed out the weak trees and the rickety branches, the mattress industry’s storm (i.e., the recession) also takes its toll.
Serta President Bob Sherman addressed that issue at the bedding roundtable we hosted at the recent Las Vegas Market. He noted that there weren’t as many bedding casualties as might have been expected last year. Perhaps this year some weak companies will exit the marketplace, he speculated.
That’s an intriguing possibility. While business will be getting better this year, the thinking goes, maybe the gains will not be strong enough to rescue some weak players, those hanging on for survival.
What do you think? Can we expect some bedding casualties this year?
East Bay Bed Guy commented:
Between the recession, (which some people refuse to believe) some poor business decisions, and bad advice some major players are on track to take a big hit.
Eastbay Bed Guy commented:
To some, there is no recession. Some really bad advice,unexplainable business decisions, and constant turnover of employees are giving a major player the chance take a really big hit this year.
Warren Littrell commented:
Charlie Eitel, the guy everyone loves to hate. This guys name comes up more often than you can count!
Bedding Vet commented:
Just follow the trail led by C. Eitel, that should give you some good forecasts.
