Family-owned Abt Electronics, which bills itself as the nation’s largest single-store retailer of appliances and electronics, has added a 5,000-square-foot bedding department to its Glenview, Ill., store. This is the retailer’s first foray into mattress sales.
“We have always offered furniture such as home-theater seating, leather sectionals, bar stools and dining furniture—mattresses seemed to be a logical next step,” said Geoff Imhof, Abt general manager. “And the bedroom is becoming a place where people are spending more time using their iPads, laptop computers and watching television. Someone visiting our store for a new bedroom television may think, ‘Hey, we should replace our mattress while we’re here’.”
The new bedding loft is staffed with trained, dedicated retail sales associates and floors 36 mattress models and sleep accessories from Carpe Diem, Simmons and Tempur-Pedic. It also stocks Protect-A-Bed accessories, as well as headboards and frames from Leggett & Platt and Wesley Allen. Mattresses open at $399 and top out at $29,000. Delivery, set up and old mattress removal is free within a 100-mile radius of the store.
“It has always been our priority to listen to our customers and offer them unbeatable service,” said Jon Abt, company co-president. “With the introduction of the new bedding department, we are expanding our offerings to meet their growing needs.”