It’s no secret that teens love to stay up late and sleep in thanks to biological shifts in their sleep-wake cycles. For the past few years, organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association have recommended that high school and middle school start no earlier…
Mary Best
Editor in Chief
Welcome to 2019! For me, the start of a new year is full of anticipation and hopefulness, and it affords me the opportunity for self-reflection and resolutions for the 364 days ahead.
At Sleep Savvy, our ongoing resolution — and, in fact, mission — is to provide you with articles that focus on understanding consumer behavior, recognizing bedding’s supporting role in a healthy lifestyle and offering practical ideas that make it easier to sell better-quality bedding, regardless of brand.
This year, perhaps more than any other since Sleep Savvy began in 2002, we plan to bring you articles and insights to help you understand — and stay ahead of — the dynamic forces affecting the sleep products industry. Shifting retail models and consumer expectations surely challenge the traditional way brick-and-mortar stores operate, but they also provide opportunities for growth.
Here’s a sneak peek of a few of the articles in this issue that we hope offer value and ideas to make your retail enterprise successful and profitable in 2019:
- The path to purchase: As you know, shopping over the past decade has changed considerably with the advent of e-commerce and the sophistication of digital innovation. Sleep Savvy contributor Julie A. Palm examines consumers’ varied purchasing journeys to offer a clearer understanding of the decision-making process involved in buying online or in-store.
- The best of Retail Road Trip: To start off the new year, we look back at Retail Road Trips to cull some of the best strategies from the past couple years — and challenge you to take them to the next level.
- 2019 industry outlook: For a broad view of the bedding industry, we touched base with a number of manufacturers, suppliers and retailers to hear their thoughts on the challenges and possibilities facing the industry. Hint: boxed beds.
- Secret shopper: Sleep Savvy editors are excited to re-introduce our “Undercover” series in which secret shoppers visit bedding stores and report back on their experiences. This issue’s story about a visit to three retailers in the Southeast will give you some firsthand views of mattress stores and sales associates in action. Spoiler alert: A good portion of what we saw in our shopping research wasn’t very flattering.
- Product Showcase: And you will not want to miss our Winter Las Vegas Market buyer’s guide, which includes descriptions of innovative products and programs being introduced Jan. 27-31 in Las Vegas. Be sure to visit these showrooms!
We hope you enjoy this issue and find it enjoyable, fun and helpful. Please let me know what you think at mbest@sleepproducts.com.
From our team to yours, we wish you a healthy and prosperous new year.
