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About the Industry
The mattress industry is based on a shared commitment to produce a quality product that enhances the universal experience of sleep. Through the sharing of information, participation in trade fairs and a variety of other activities, the bedding industry continues to grow, innovate, educate and its customers, and play a significant role in people's lives.
In 2007, U.S. mattress producers shipped 40.3 million units of mattresses and foundations.
U.S Mattress Industry Overview
The mattress industry is represented by wholly-owned manufacturers, licensing organizations, publicly traded companies, independent companies and factory directs (companies that both manufacture and retail their product).
Overall, the industry is stable and experiences uniform sales with slight peaks in July, August and September.
See a list of Mattress Industry Terms.
Recent Trends
For the year, U.S. producers shipped 43,115,000 mattress and foundation units, a decrease of 1.4% compared to 2006. Boosted by increases in the average unit price (AUP), however, the dollar value of shipments increased by 4.7% overall. The value of non-innerspring mattresses expanding by 12.2% during 2006, twice the rate (6.1%) for innerspring mattresses. Total industry shipments for 2006 were valued at $6.8 billion.
Learn more about the industry through our Mattress Industry Report of Sales & Trends.
Marketing & Mattress Sales
The bedding industry continues to benefit from aging baby-boomers and an emerging "Generation Y" that is setting up households and buying homes. Also driving sales are record levels of second home purchases; a population of wealthy immigrants, and a growing interest in exercise and health related issues, including the value of sleep to overall well-being.
Learn more about industry trends, refer to the U.S. Mattress Industry Annual Report and Sales Statistics, free to U.S. ISPA members.
Product Profile
Mattress sizes run from the smallest (twin) to the largest (King). Mattresses also come in various thicknesses, ranging from "standard," at 9 inches thick, to "high contour," which is 9" to 13" thick, to "custom," which is more than 13 inches thick.
| Twin | 38" x 74.5" |
| Twin XL | 38" x 79.5" |
| Full/Double | 53" x 74.5" |
| Double XL | 53" x 79.5" |
| Queen | 60" x 79.5" |
| King | 76" x 79.5" |
| California King | 72" x 83.5" |
*all dimensions may vary by +/- one-half inch.
Learn more about mattress sizing through our Sleep Products Voluntary Dimensional Guideline for Bedding Products and Components.
Distribution Channels
Most mattresses and foundations are sold at traditional furniture stores (roughly 40 percent). Although furniture stores remain the most popular bedding retail channel, bedding specialty shops have been increasing their market over several years. Mattress specialty stores, known as "sleep shops," have been recently increasing their market share. Other distribution channels include department stores (including national chains), factory-direct stores, warehouse clubs and other outlets including the Internet.
Consumer Profile
Market research consistently shows a high level of product satisfaction among consumers. Consumers generally view quality bedding as a good value. "Comfort" is the most important attribute consumers consider in a mattress. Recent findings reveals that "comfort" has overwhelmingly replaced "firmness" as the most important attribute in mattress appeal. Additionally, all other attributes drop off precipitously in terms of importance after "comfort".
The Better Sleep Council indicates that most consumers are poor judges of when to replace their mattresses. The vast majority is unaware of the signs of mattress deterioration and rarely connects the condition of their mattress to a decline in sleep quality. The mattress industry is working to educate consumers to better detect the early stages of mattress breakdown, replace deteriorating products, and enjoy continued comfort, support and refreshing sleep.
Last updated on January 24, 2011
