Annual revenue generated by the mattress sales industry Total number of mattresses shipped each year Length of time the average person keeps a mattress The number of mattress companies in the U.S. bedding industry Annual sales sales revenue of Sealy Total number of production workers in bedding industry The share of Twin-size bedding mattress in US The share of Queen-size bedding mattress in US The share of the traditional innerspring mattress U.S. Mattress Marketshare by Manufacturer Percent of Industry Sales Mattress Sales by Distribution Channel Matress Speacialty Store Market Share Back to Bed / Bedding Expert Customer Satisfaction by Mattress Type Date research was conducted: September 5, 2016 Mattress Industry Sales StatisticsYOU ARE HERE: LAT HomeCollectionsBeds IF it's been a year or two since you've shopped for a mattress, you're in for some surprises. That memory foam bed that once seemed so novel?
It's now decidedly mainstream. Latex is the hot material of choice. And that's not all that's changed.Choices are multiplying -- especially on the luxury end -- and prices are too.Today, along with the traditional innersprings, you'll find a growing selection of specialty mattresses made of hypoallergenic latex foam, gel, organic wool and cotton, even magnets (for fans of magnet therapy), not to mention the viscoelastic memory foam and adjustable air chambers that already have garnered so much attention. Many of these command $1,500 to $4,000 for a queen.Manufacturers also are tucking layers of pricey latex or memory foam into their traditional innerspring lines, creating plush hybrid models. It used to be rock-hard beds sold a lot," says Larry Miller, cofounder and president of Sit 'n Sleep, which has 18 mega-stores in Southern California. "Today we're selling a lot of plush beds with support, a lot of latex, a lot of memory foam, a lot of air products and new types of innersprings with latex or memory foam, or a combination of foams."
In 2001, 1 in 7 mattresses sold for $1,000 or more, according to the International Sleep Products Assn. By 2005, the most recent year for which statistics are available, the number had risen to more than 1 in 5.Two trends are converging: advancements in mattress technologies and the aging of baby boomers who are willing to spend money on premium products."Around age 50, your body really starts to change in regard to sensitivity to pressure points," says Consumer Reports senior editor Tod Marks, who headed up the magazine's most recent report on mattresses. Changes can even be felt at age 40, he says. "That mattress you found comfortable 10 years ago may no longer be so comfortable. You may want more padding on top."Doctors and bedding professionals used to think that a firm mattress was best for the back. Today, a combination of support and comfort is thought to be ideal -- whatever feels best to each person. And what feels best to many people, especially as they get older, is a mattress with a little "give."
That's where specialty beds come in.Viscoelastic and latex foam conform to the body's curves, absorb motion and ease pressure points at the shoulders and hips. Many in the mattress industry are especially excited about latex, which is pleasantly springy and feels cooler than memory foam. It also is naturally hypoallergenic and dust-mite resistant. "One of the reasons it's catching on is it's the best of both worlds," says Sealy spokesman David Mullen. Latex "reacts more like an innerspring, it reduces pressure points, and it gives you individual support."Another material showing up in more beds this year: stretchy gel. Mattresses with gel layers (think Dr. Scholl's shoe insoles) are said to distribute weight evenly and provide the comfort benefits of foam.Then you have air beds (often with dual controls to suit each sleeper's level of comfort), and organic mattresses of hand-tufted wool and cotton, which can be softly supportive and naturally ventilating.These specialty beds were introduced and championed by smaller, independent mattress makers, some of which have become quite successful.
Tempur-Pedic rolled out its memory foam beds in the early '90s; today it's the fourth-largest mattress producer in the U.S., after Sealy, Simmons and Serta and ahead of Spring Air, according to Furniture / Today magazine. Select Comfort, which makes adjustable air mattresses, is No. 6.Specialty mattresses in 2005 accounted for almost 10% of the beds sold and 22% of the dollars spent on beds, an increase of nearly 30% from the previous year, according to the sleep-products association."My guess is that eventually they'll be half the market," Sit 'n Sleep's Miller says. "As baby boomers grow older, they are more sensitive to the things these beds address."Mainstream mattress makers have jumped in too. Sealy introduced latex, memory foam and adjustable air product lines, and the company reported a near-doubling of its specialty-mattress sales in 2006. Last year it opened its own latex manufacturing plant. Simmons has latex, memory foam and adjustable air too, as well as gel layers. Serta offers memory foam and latex beds.
But it's not all about health in these premium beds. You'll find silk, cashmere and alpaca fillings, pewter and brass hardware, ticking made of Belgian damask or woven with metallic thread. Vera Wang's Bridal Bed, introduced by Serta last year, weaves in holographic thread for a luminescent effect inspired by her wedding dresses. Italy's Magniflex, which is set to open a Manhattan showroom this month, sells a 22-karat-gold-covered mattress for $24,000, with a matching $1,000 gold pillow. Seizure Led to FloJo's DeathHis 104 scores make his caseRestaurant review: South Beverly GrillBrutal Murder by Teen-Age Girls Adds to Britons' ShockComaneci Confirms Suicide Attempt, Magazine SaysWe receive free products to review and participate in affiliate programs, where we are compensated for items purchased through links from our site (at no cost to the buyer). See our for our list of comped products and affiliate programs. No two people are identical, so it only makes sense that every mattress won’t provide the same sleeping experience to every person.
A mattress is not just a mattress. It is an essential tool that directly affects your health, mood, and spinal alignment, so this is not a purchase that should be made without a considerable amount of understanding of your needs. One of the key things to understand if you are heavier is that your perception of “softness” is going to be significantly different than a very light person. So, basing your decision on reviews of “average-sized” people will likely leave you full of regret. You will see mentioned a lot that the “average” sleeper needs about a 3-inch comfort layer. While this is true, it is also important to understand that this number is actually only encouraged for side sleepers. Lighter individuals need a thinner comfort layer, if they always sleep on their back or stomach, so this is also something to keep in mind. Sleeping position needs to be considered alongside your body weight for maximum comfort and support. So, if you are a heavier side sleeper, you want to ignore that 3-inch recommendation and look for a mattress with a comfort layer that is a bit thicker.
Four inches is usually ideal. This should provide a deep enough cradle that will effectively spread your weight, thereby relieving pressure. Thickness is not the only characteristic to consider. You also want to make sure that the comfort layer is a relatively firm top layer. As mentioned, softness perception varies according to weight. A layer that will feel a little too firm to a lighter person will feel softer to someone who is heavier. So, a firmer material that would not cradle a light person will cradle the recessed areas of the body in someone with above average weight. Make sure you choose a compatible support layer, as well. Sticking with one that is firm will provide the support that is needed to keep your spine properly aligned. Take everything you just read above and throw it out the door. If you are below average body weight, you could be quite disappointed by a bed that is praised by those of average weight, as well. You will not require much weight distribution and you will need a significantly softer comfort layer, if you want gaps between the body and the mattress supported.
For example, if you lie on a firm surface the gap in your lumbar area is likely quite prevalent. The weight from points making contact with the mattress is not enough to force a firmer material upward to fill in this gap. So, you need a thinner and softer upper layer to make sure this happens. You can also get away with a softer and thinner support layer. If you fall somewhere in the average statistics then finding a mattress will be a bit easier for you. However, this does not mean you will be comfortable or happy with just any mattress that has positive reviews. You also need to consider sleeping position, material, construction method, etc. For the best possible outcome you will also put a lot of thought into your buying decision. By now, you might be saying, “Seriously? I have to consider body shape, too?” Well, if you want a mattress that will provide the highest quality of sleep to promote good health and a sounder rest then you do. Body shape directly affects weight distribution.
If you have a curvy body then you likely have more pronounced gaps that need to be filled in. When you lie down, your hips and shoulders are going to sink a little deeper into the mattress than a less curvy person. So, you will need a thicker comfort layer that will fill in these gaps, thereby preventing your spine from becoming misaligned. Ideal weight distribution for you will be achieved with firmer comfort and support layers. A straight/flat body is not going to need a mattress that excels in weight distribution. When you lie down, your pressure points are not as heavy, so a soft, thin comfort layer will be better suited for you. Your pressure points are heavier than someone with a straight body, but they do not need as much weight distribution capabilities as a curvy shaped body. You will likely find that a support core of average firmness paired with an average comfort layer will work just fine for you. However, if you have an average body shape, but lean towards being above or below average weight, you will have to find a happy medium to accommodate your needs.