The High Point Market Authority reported that traffic was brisk and buyer registrations were up 6% at the October home furnishings show, as compared with a year ago in High Point, N.C. Foot traffic in mattress showrooms was a bit slower, but there was plenty of excitement about new gel foams. The busiest bedding showrooms said they had done their preshow homework and scheduled appointments.
“It’s a gel market,” said Mike Schweiger, vice president of sales for Whitewater, Wis.-based VyMaC Corp. and Durable Products LLC, which makes the EcoSleep mattress brand. “We had a great market on the gel foam lines we presented. For a small company, we made a big splash.”
Serta, the mattress major based in Hoffman Estates, Ill., continued to promote its successful iComfort line of gel-enhanced foam beds, bringing out a Renewal Refined model. And, across the market, manufacturers touted the benefits of gel foams as improving pressure relief and providing a cooler sleep surface. Seeking to distinguish their own offerings from competitors, there were “gel-infused memory foams,” “gel-bead memory foams,” “gel crystals” and “gel striations” in various colors and layered in bed constructions with a variety of other visco-elastic, latex and polyurethane foams.
BedTimes also spotted a handful of topper and pillow introductions (some containing gel), several line extensions and a continuing emphasis on adjustable bases.
Below, check out some of the new products introduced at the show. (Unless otherwise noted, all prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail for queen-size sets.)
Gold Bond — The mattress and futon maker with headquarters in Hartford, Conn., took a two-pronged approach to the market, launching the redesigned, two-sided Premier, a three-bed innerspring collection priced from $1,199 to $1,899*; and promoting EcoSense with its next-generation Cool Response Gel Foam. The three gel-foam EcoSense beds, unveiled in Las Vegas in August, retail from $1,099 to $1,499. Gold Bond has East Coast distribution of the gel line, which is manufactured in partnership with Durable Products LLC’s EcoSleep brand. “It’s been our most successful new product launch in history,” Gold Bond President Bob Naboicheck said of the new specialty collection. He’s shown here with his son, Gold Bond Vice President Skip Naboicheck, and a block of Cool Response Gel Foam.
Restonic — The Buffalo, N.Y.-based licensing group unveiled three TempaGel gel-infused memory foam beds retailing for $1,299, $1,999 and $2,499. Covers containing Outlast yarns contribute to the beds’ temperature-regulating properties. In addition to the gel-infused top layer, the bed’s layered core contains high-density polyurethane, latex and visco-elastic foams.
Hickory At Home — The consumer products division of Hickory Springs Mfg. Co. in Hickory, N.C., introduced three FLX adjustable bases under the iCare brand, priced from $1,399 to $2,200. The top model iCare 6 shown here has head-rest adjustability and foot-lowering functions, dual vibration, an under-the-bed night light and three presets for incline, chaise lounge and zero-gravity positions.
EcoSleep — The specialty bedding brand manufactured by Durable Products LLC in Whitewater, Wis., expanded its Cool-Contour series with gel foam to six models. They retail for $999 to $1,599 and ship compressed and rolled. Each has a cut-and-sewn, super-stretch zippered cover made by sister company VyMaC Corp., wrapped around 3 inches of gel-infused foam and a 6-inch Acella-Flex Support base foam. Upper models include additional memory foam layers.
Comfortaire — The Greenville, S.C.-based airbed maker displayed the first bed in its stylish Elite Series with gold buttons and a faux leather foot streamer. The Elite includes a layer of gel-infused foam atop the company’s signature air chamber. Comfortaire said its gel foam, unlike most other gel offerings on the market, has the elasticity and feel of latex. The bed shown here retails for $3,499. The full three-bed line is expected to be shown at the Las Vegas Market in January.
Jamison Bedding — In the Jamison showroom, new Gel Comfort mattresses with JGel were the epitome of “cool”—topped with crowds of Captain Cool penguin plushies, the brand mascot. Jamison, with headquarters in Brentwood, Tenn., uses high-density “unique gel-visco foam blended with gel beads” in the four new beds, as well as the manufacturer’s proprietary Marriott foam core. They retail for $1,099 to $1,999. A comprehensive point-of-sale program includes top-of-bed items, signage and, of course, lots of penguins. Jamison also rolled out a revamped Vita Pedic two-side innerspring line of nine beds and a new five-model Talalatex Conformer collection featuring Talalay latex.
Paramount Sleep — The mattress maker, with headquarters in Norfolk, Va., rolled out the handsomely styled Back Performance Gel bed with gel-bead infused memory foam and a “Feran Ice” fabric treatment to wick away moisture. A foam-encased pocket spring and a foam-encased Back Performance 460 coil construction are available in two models. The third is all foam. The new gel models were made part of the Back Performance lineup because they are a “performance product” for people with active lifestyles, providing layers of support, pressure relief and temperature control, the company said.
Therapedic International — The Princeton, N.J.-based licensing group launched EcoGel, a three-bed group with “swirled” gel memory foam and a “stay cool from dusk to dawn” promise. Dynaflow “cooling fabric” helps with the “stay cool” story. The memory foam layer contains a percentage of plant-based content and the top bed has 1 inch of latex beneath the gel foam. Suggested retail prices are $1,099, $1,499 and $1,999. A new point-of-purchase accessories program is available to retailers.
Classic Brands — The Jessup, Md.-based manufacturer said “it’s all about cooler sleep” when launching its Cool Gel memory foam mattresses with layers of gel-infused foam and ventilated foams. The four-bed collection retails for $799 to $1,499 and comes in 9-inch, 11-inch, 13-inch and 14-inch profiles.
International Bedding — The Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based producer added a latex topper program to its product lineup. The Talalay latex toppers are available in 2-inch and 3-inch profiles priced at $399 and $499, respectively. “Latex toppers provide a much more comfortable, supportive and resilient feel than those made with memory foam,” said Mark Wozniak, International Bedding vice president of marketing. “This program will give our retailers even more comfort options to offer their customers.”
Shifman Mattresses — The maker of ultra-premium handmade beds in Newark, N.J., “kept up appearances” at its High Point showroom, offering a new customizable, mix-and-match point-of-sale program to support its collections. Retailers can choose from a selection of glossy brochures, lifestyle posters, Plexiglas cardholders and new cutaway buns with stands. The company also touted its recently redesigned website at www.shifmanmattresses.com
Zedbed — The producer, with headquarters in Grand-Mère, Québec, introduced two wall-hugging Z-Motion adjustable bases with massage option. They retail for $1,399 and $1,699. The new Zedbed Snowpedic gel bed contains a patent-pending “gel crystal”-imbued memory foam that the company pours in its own facilities. The beds contain perforated gel foam, as well as support foams with plant-based content. Two models are priced at $1,899 and $2,199.
South Bay — The mattress maker added to its Black Diamond collection of pillows, toppers and mattresses that are made with bamboo rayon fibers and a charcoal-containing memory foam. The company, based in Ponoma, Calif., also rolled out Complete Beds To Go—an 8-inch foam mattress, two pillows, headboard and platform foundation in a single box that can be shipped via overnight carrier. Assembly, without tools, takes less than 30 minutes, the company said. Approximate retail is $799 to $849.
Glideaway — The St. Louis-based company updated the color and styling of its popular plush children’s memory foam mattress and metal bed frame. The mattress by itself in twin size is $139; the powder-coated metal frame with mattress is $185. The frame requires simple assembly and comes with a set of colorful stickers.
Leggett & Platt — Consumer Products Group The division of the Carthage, Mo.-based supplier added several ornamental beds to its Fashion Bed lineup, including the Oslo shown here. The European-inspired, contemporary platform bed with simple lines, silver-finished metal and dark wood retails for $599.
Pure LatexBLISS — Taking gel to accessories, the Atlanta-based company introduced GEL Inside pillows and toppers made with Talalay latex and patent-pending ACTIVE Gel Technology. The company said its new gel uses temperature-regulating phase-change material.
UPCOMING MARKETS
Las Vegas Market
Jan. 30-Feb. 3
World Market Center
Las Vegas
High Point Market
April 21-26
International Home Furnishings Center & other locations
High Point, N.C.
