David Perry

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Mattress renewal taking shape but price hikes are a concern

Indicators are positive as the High Point Market opens for its spring edition. I've been hearing good reports about retail sales, which is always a helpful sign. For their part, bedding producers come to the Furniture Capital of the World loaded with new lines. And the bedding lineup here is expanding.Perhaps, as the flowers burst into bloom in this season of rebirth, the mattress category will us... More

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A class act returns to retailing

Tom Wholley is back in the mattress retail arena, and that's a good thing.Wholley was one of the operators of Better Bedding of East Hartford, Conn., a respected retailer that went into Chapter 11 last year and was later sold to rival Sleepy's, based in Hicksville, N.Y. Since then Wholley has been looking for his next career. As it turns out, he didn't have to look far.The Hartford Courant recentl... More

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Time to get tough on used beds

How do those pesky bedbugs find their way into homes? Sometimes they hitch a ride on a used bed, perhaps one that is passed off as being new.The International Sleep Products Assn. is concerned about this problem and has launched a new campaign to protect consumers from preventable fire and health risks, including those posed by bedbugs. ISPA is leading efforts in a number of key states to enact ne... More

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Conference to help retailers polish playbooks for success

Bedding retailers need good business plans these days if they want to find success. Retail has never been more challenging, what with a tough economy, finicky consumers and aggressive competition. We're aiming to help retailers strengthen their key skill sets at our next Bedding Conference, set for May 4-6 at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle in Aventura, Fla. (just outside Fort Lauderdale). Our age... More

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Why a two-day bedding market?

Why a two-day bedding market?I'm just getting back to normal (no snickering, please) from a hectic week in Las Vegas, where a booming bedding market was held. And I've got a question for you:Why do so many bedding players think they can make the rounds in Las Vegas in just two days?Yes, Monday and Tuesday are wild, crazy and fun days in Vegas bedding showrooms, packed with buyers and activity. Eve... More