See all the charts and graphs--Click on the cover above to read 'A Visual Guide to the Bedding Biz' in its entirety.
According to the numbers, 2011 was a good year for the U.S. mattress industry, with unit shipments, dollar values and average unit selling prices registering increases—a trend that began in 2010 and an indication that economic recovery, albeit slow, is finally under way.
Numbers. They often bring into focus insights that words sometimes don’t tell us. That’s why this month’s cover story is a presentation of economic analyses, comprising more than a dozen graphic displays of fresh industry data and vivid signposts that highlight recent benchmarks, performance and trends in mattress manufacturing.
Our report shows the industry’s dramatic periods of growth beginning 2001 and the downturn it suffered during the Great Recession. In the cover story, you’ll find quantitative snapshots of both U.S. and international productivity, including mattress imports and exports, as well as an overview of the mattress market in seven leading industrialized countries. In addition, this report includes supplemental information to help put the numbers in perspective.
The majority of the material was drawn from the International Sleep Products Association’s recently released 2011 Mattress Industry Report of Sales and Trends, including both statistical data and analysis. In addition, there’s research from CSIL Milano, the Centre for Industrial Studies, and analysis by furniture industry expert Jerry Epperson of Mann, Armistead and Epperson Ltd.
— Compiled by Mary Best, BedTimes managing editor, and designed by Stephanie Belcher, BedTimes art director
ISPA statistics are a key member benefit
Members of the International Sleep Products Association report that one of the most valuable of their member benefits is access to an array of statistical reports. Here’s a look at what’s available from ISPA:
- Mattress Industry Report of Sales and Trends. Published each spring, this annual report provides comprehensive current and 20-year historical data and analysis of the U.S. and international mattress industry in terms of unit shipments, sales revenues and average unit selling prices. The report puts numbers into context with commentary on issues facing the mattress industry and data on econometric factors that influence mattress sales. It’s free to members.
- Mattress Industry Forecast. Published at least twice a year, the forecast provides a tool that companies can use in preparing their business plans. The forecast projects mattress unit shipments and dollar values for the current year and succeeding two-year period. It’s free for members.
- Bedding Barometer. The Bedding Barometer presents monthly, quarterly and year-to-date U.S. sales activity for 18 participating mattress producers that represent about 45% of the market by unit shipments and 55% by the wholesale dollar value of those shipments. It’s free for members.
- Cost Survey. This annual report includes an industry summary of manufacturing and operating expense ratios, net sales and profit ratios, data presented by volume categories and geographic regions for easy comparison, and charts and graphics that show how company trends compare with industry averages over time. It’s free to ISPA member companies who participate in the survey and includes a personalized, confidential company report for comparison. An industry summary is available to nonparticipating members for $500.
- Wage Survey. The Wage Survey allows companies to see how they compare with the larger industry regarding average earnings, employee longevity, employment practices, fringe benefits, union contracts, outsourcing and more. Participants in ISPA’s Wage Survey receive a confidential report customized for their company free of charge. Other ISPA members may purchase the nonconfidential industry data for $500.
- CSIL World Mattress Industry Report. In partnership with CSIL Milano, the Centre for Industrial Studies, ISPA offers this report of detailed import and export trends for the largest mattress manufacturing countries, along with international trade analysis for additional countries. The report is included in ISPA’s Mattress Industry Report of Sales and Trends.
For more information about these reports or about becoming an ISPA member, contact Jane Oseth, ISPA manager of member services and statistics, at [email protected] or 703-683-8371.
Expert insight
‘Mattress sales are healthy with year-over-year gains in both units and average selling price. The increase in selling price is being driven by unit-share gains for the noninnerspring category. Pricing is likely to remain healthy as noninnerspring unit share expands, helped by new product introductions.’
—Goldman Sachs, Forbes.com, April 18
‘For all the well-documented reasons, mattress sales continue to do well and we expect this to continue for the foreseeable future. Innovation, exciting new products, health issues, respected consumer brands and excellent press all help.’
—Jerry Epperson, managing director of Mann, Armistead and Epperson Ltd.
‘Americans aren’t cutting back a whole lot. Personal consumption as a share of gross domestic product is floating along at the highest it has been since at least 1948, at 71.1%. For comparison, it was way down at 62% as recently as the early 1980s.’
—Peter Coy, Bloomberg Businessweek, May 7
