Bedding sales to Enhance With consuemr Assurance on An upswing and anxieties of a national recession decreasing, the prognosis for bedding earnings during the next half is good, based on manufacturers. http://bestfutonmattresses.com

Though mattress sales got off to a rocky start in January And February, providers agree that earnings will improve later this year -- despite the fact that it is unlikely that they'll top last year's record performance. Indications of this improvement are materializing already, some state.

"I'm more encouraged over the previous 30 days. January was Rather tender, as was the fourth quarter (of 1987)," said Restonic president William Brey final week. "However, the market appears to be stabilizing. Recession hasn't risen and that I think people are relaxing. We were surprised and pleased at the degree of optimism buyers expressed at regional markets.

"If the economy continues to stabilize, it will be possible To have an excellent year," Brey continued. "I really don't think the consumer has ever been too uncomfortable -- merchants were." Noting that industry dollars were up almost 9 percent in 1987, he added: "We don't have to be up 9 percent to have a fantastic year."

Brey believes an industrywide dollar increase of 5 to 6 percent is A realistic expectation for 1988 -- largely because earnings of ultra-premium mattresses will "hold prices up." Any growth in units, however, would be smaller, he said.

Although he declined to speculate on future earnings, Ernest Wuliger, Chairman of industry pioneer Ohio Mattress, said, "I've never seen annually when the second half was not better than the first. Whether the second half will be better compared to the first largely depends upon the economy."

When asked what caused sluggish bedding sales during the first Two weeks of this year, Wuliger replied: "Retail sales are delicate -- not only exclusively with the bedding market. Furniture in all aspects in softer than it had been a year ago."

Since 1987 was a year ago, It'll Be Hard to achieve "major growth" in 1988, said Len Gaby, vice president and general director of Simmons U.S.A. "In an industry basis, 1988 will possess a modest growth, if any. Company will continue to be hard, and like always, people have to work real hard to get the volume they require. The company will go to those who have the very best thoughts, work and service the hardest at it." http://bestfutonmattresses.com/futon-mattress-king-size/

Coming off a year ago, Serta president Roy Unger is Optimistic about second half prospects. "I still look for a fantastic second half. The year started out slowly, but my strong belief is that we are going to catch up and move ahead. Normally, the next six months will be the strongest."

Even Though the International Sleep Products Assn. (ISPA) is Forecasting a small 2.9 percent increase in dollars and a 0.1 percent reduction in units for the calendar year, Unger thinks both units and dollars will probably be up. "As a business, we will be up only a couple of points," he said. "In terms of Serta's business, in 1987 we had a 10 percent growth, and the market model was 7.7 percent."

Don Pellegrini, president of Spring Air, concurs with ISPA's Forecast. "We've held up really nicely," he said. "That is not to say January and February were astonishing. We look to get a continuous progress after the first quarter and a stronger second half.

"We know that for the last five years consumers have Outspent their income -- it's been a continuous thing. I really don't think consumer confidence is that much of an issue. It is only a matter of our business doing more to catch the consumer's discretionary dollars"

Pellegrini projects that Spring Air's 1988 earnings will increase 6 To 8% in dollars, and 3 to 5% in units.

Therapedic's manager of marketing Joel Berke believes ISPA's Forecast is too conservative. By early March, he said business was rebounding from "a February which has been weaker than anticipated." Berke is now searching for industrywide increases of 2 to % in units and about 5% .

On propects for its next halfof Ernest Friedman, president of King Koil, stated, "I don't understand that we're going to transcend '87 figures. I think we will run somewhat even with '87, or maybe slightly down. New housing starts are at a very low point and that affects home furnishings."

Erik Rossiter, vice president of Stearns & Foster, an Ohio "Small increase" in dollars and units in '88 because of his or her company. "I believe that's going to hold. We didn't have a good December and January, but we had a great February and we're having a good March. I'm optimistic." Rossiter sees a gradual upswing in business during the next half. https://medium.com/@colorpop1102/futon-mattress-queen-size-48f28e0ee7c6

Ray Babitt, manager of retail sales and promotion for Bassett Bedding, agrees the second half will be better than the first, although he Anticipates industry unit sales to be flat this year, and dollars up 3 or 4 percent.