No more whining: History says 2013 will be a good year

November 21, 2012

The sign was too far away for the presidentelect to see, but it caught my eye: "This is the end of civilization as we know it."

That may sum up how some of you are feeling these days in the wake of the recent presidential election, but that sign was actually hoisted by an unhappy camper on Inauguration Day 1981, when Ronald Reagan took office. I was in Washington that day, covering the inauguration for the High Point newspaper that employed me in those days.

Well, the world didn't end with Reagan's ascendency to power, and it won't be coming to an end with President Obama's reelection either. (Note: This assumes the Mayan end-of-the-world prophecy for this Dec. 21 is a non-starter.)

I know there is much angst in some industry circles over Obama's reelection. One industry leader shared his mattress projections with me before the election but added this stern note: If Obama wins, tear his projections up and say he had no comment. This is not a good way to move forward. The fact is, Obama defeated Romney. The voters have spoken. We can't change the outcome. But we can control how we approach business next year. And hand-wringing won't get us anywhere. A look back 30 years into the bedding archives reveals that business is robust in the year following a president's reelection, whether the victor is a Republican or a Democrat.

In 1985, the year after Ronald Reagan won reelection, the dollar value of bedding shipments jumped 5.6%. In 2005, the year following George W. Bush's reelection, bedding dollars jumped 12%. That gives us 8.8% average growth in the year following a Republican's reelection. Before Barack Obama just did it, only one Democrat had won reelection in the past 30 years. That was Bill Clinton. And bedding dollars jumped 8.2% in the year after he was voted in for a second term in 1996. That's almost exactly the average bedding growth rate recorded under Republican presidents who were returned to office. So history tells us that business should be strong next year, even with - gasp - a Democrat back in office.

The International Sleep Products Assn. is predicting 6.3% dollar growth next year. (Furniture/Today's Bedding Consensus Forecast won't be released until early next year.) As you can see, there are a number of reasons to expect good bedding business next year. Let's stop this pointless whining about Obama's win. A better strategy is to make plans for good bedding business next year. History says a good year is on the way.

Posted by David Perry on November 21, 2012 | Comments (7)

Industries: Bedding , Bedding (Themed)

February 24, 2013

In response to: No more whining: History says 2013 will be a good year
Rosane commented:

Google Translation The current eoconmic crisis is global in scope and origin, in New Jersey, all communities have felt its effects. Every family knows what it means to join the family table to find ways to save.My translation The current eoconmic crisis, which I need everyone to think is global in scope and origin, has been much worse in New Jersey because of all the dumb eoconmic decisions that Jim McGreevey and I made in the past eighth year. Every family knows that trying to tax your way to prosperity (and fairness) has the opposite effect, but Jimbo and I stuck to the liberal playbook, religiously. And although every family in the state knows how to save, the state government only knows how to spend beyond our means, both in the present and future (good luck all you government workers who think there's an endless supply of retirement funds to provide for your lavish pensions).In short Mi problema es su problema (ask your Spanish teacher to translate that).

February 21, 2013

In response to: No more whining: History says 2013 will be a good year
Jayesh commented:

You should type deoracte bedroom in google images and browse. Also, go to ebay, as well as a variety of decorating sites. Go to department stores armed with a camera and take pictures of stuff you like. Think stripes, and flowers mixed. Have one color for your walls. Use patterns on the beddings and curtains. Use two of the colors as your main, and use the third as your accent colors. Maybe this site will work?

January 7, 2013

In response to: No more whining: History says 2013 will be a good year
Jasmanpreet commented:

Addi You are correct that it is too early to be maknig realistic projections based on current economic data although I am more confident than you, I think, that the 2012 election will turn primarily on assessments of the economy. It is possible, of course, that something like a terrorist strike might alter that, but otherwise I think Obama's perceived stewardship of the economy will be the central issue. I also don't want to totally dismiss the relevance of Obama's opponent. But presuming they pass the smell test as a legitimate candidate, their campaign strategy will essentially be to focus on Obama and the economy. I would also caution against dismissing the current Republican field as a bunch of intellectual lightweights, ideologues and unknowns. Once the field narrows and the nominating process begins, the candidates who survive the initial scrutiny will be perceived as strong contenders. In short, I think the voting calculus will turn primarily on assessments of Obama, and only then turn to the qualifications of his opponent.

November 23, 2012

In response to: No more whining: History says 2013 will be a good year
Nest Bedding commented:

Had the new store open just less than 3 months now and doing very well. NestBedding.com. If you work hard, have good prices and great service, give people a reason to shop in your store, you can be thrive in any economic environment

November 21, 2012

In response to: No more whining: History says 2013 will be a good year
Dale Read commented:

Thank you Dave...Great column for a super industry! Let's all those pro-business advocates in our industry focus on the business of succeeding in 2013. We have the ability to design and make great products, and innovation and technology will allow us to make even better ones for American consumers. If we do that for the consumer, we will all win!

November 21, 2012

In response to: No more whining: History says 2013 will be a good year
Rick MacLean commented:

Bravo Dave! The whining and finger pointing that government is always the problem is what needs to end. Here's a populist sentiment: Let's get on with it by putting the finest bedding products that the people want into the consumers hands! Now that's a majority vote.

November 21, 2012

In response to: No more whining: History says 2013 will be a good year
Melissa commented:

Thank you! Stop blaming who won (or didn't win), and let's just focus on business!!