In Touch With Consumers

The BSC educates shoppers on the importance of sleep and gives the industry useful consumer insights.

Editor’s note: For the next few months, we will highlight an International Sleep Products Association committee, showing how it benefits the bedding industry.

Mary Helen Rogers, ISPA VP of Marketing and Communications and who leads the BSC.
Mary Helen Rogers

When you hear about the Better Sleep Council, what comes to mind?

It might be the substantial research it does on consumer shopping trends. It might be the messaging around Better Sleep Month each May. Or it might be its blog, which gives readers tips for getting a better night’s rest. 

The BSC does all of these things and more. Its main mission is to provide research, insights and educational resources to help consumers better understand the relationship between sleep, health and quality of life — and the key role a quality mattress plays in all of that, of course.

Better Sleep Council Research

Let’s take a look at the research component. The BSC conducts surveys that allow it to track changing consumer behavior over time. The tracking surveys began in 1997 and the entire survey was updated in 2020. In September, the BSC released its most recent research on the mattress replacement cycle and pricing, important mattress qualities and features and sustainability. Later this year, the BSC plans to update the research on the shopping and retail experience. Look for updated research on the triggers to mattress replacement early next year.

May is Better Sleep Month

It only seems fitting to highlight the BSC in May because May Is Better Sleep Month. This year, the campaign is “Back to the Basics.” Throughout the month, the BSC will raise awareness about the benefits that come with better sleep and how a lack of sleep disrupts physical and mental health, increases stress, decreases performance and can hurt relationships. Using social media and its blog, the BSC will encourage online discussions, use polls, debut new infographics and launch a sweepstakes that showcases bedroom makeovers. Currently, its social media reaches 300 million active U.S. users. The BSC encourages the industry to join in the conversation and like and share Better Sleep Month content. Make sure to follow the BSC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Sleep Experts

Additionally, the BSC uses the expertise of three spokespeople to get its key messages across: Terry Cralle, MS, RN, who has been the primary contributor to BSC-related podcasts; Ellen Wermter, board certified family nurse practitioner; and Lissa Coffey, a lifestyle, sleep and relationship expert. All three serve as subject matter experts for the general media.

“The Better Sleep Council has been encouraging consumers to ‘Invest in Rest’ from the beginning,” said Mary Helen Rogers, ISPA vice president of marketing and communications who leads the BSC. “Today, the BSC is as committed as ever to helping consumers better understand how a restful night’s sleep helps promote a happy, healthy lifestyle and how it all starts with a quality, supportive mattress.”

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