The Better Sleep Council Unveils Mattress Consumer Insights In New Interactive Guide

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In an effort to help in-store retail sales associates stay ahead of the ever-changing mattress market, The Better Sleep Council has created an infographic that breaks down shopping demographics based on age and gender.

The Better Sleep Council is the consumer-education arm of the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA). They compiled their data from their Better Bed Quizzz as well as other consumer research, according to a report from BedTimes Magazine.

Mary Helen Rogers, ISPA vice president of marketing and communications, told BedTimes, “Our goal is to provide our industry [with] insights on today’s consumer: what they are thinking, how they shop and their perceptions of sleep and their mattress.”

Breaking It Down

The Mini Field Guide to the Mattress Shopper interactive infographic splits consumers into three age brackets: 18 to 34, 35 to 54, and 55+.

In each bracket, the guide features informative statistics on customer knowledge of mattresses, sleep position, and satisfaction with current sleep. All this information is there to assist sales associates in understanding customer concerns and, ultimately, making the sale.

For instance, customers between the ages of 18 and 34 have most likely never purchased a mattress before. They are also the most likely to buy a mattress online, so the guide instructs associates to keep these younger customers “engaged and educated.”

RELATED: Guide To Buying A Mattress Online

mattress guide lying downKristi Blokhin/Shutterstock

Interesting Figures

While the guide is really meant for sales, some of the information is interesting beyond the sales arm of the mattress industry. For instance:

  • Most men between the ages of 35 and 54 think that a Queen-size mattress should cost more than a King-size.
  • Twenty-eight percent of sleepers between the ages of 18 and 34 work in bed or watch television while they go to sleep.
  • Only 45 percent of the 18-to-34 demographic get more than seven hours of sleep a night.

Making The Sale

BedTimes hopes the information revealed by their survey will help in-store retailers and associates better understand their customers.

Rogers says, “Everyone sleeps, but not everyone prioritizes it the same way. We all have opinions, likes and a specific budget in mind. When [retail sales associates] better understand who they are talking to and, in general, consumers’ shopping behaviors and preferences, it can help them complete the sales transaction more quickly and increase the opportunity for up-sale and accessory sales.”

Featured image: Freeograph/Shutterstock

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Marten Carlson

Marten Carlson

Lead Mattress Reviewer

About Author

Marten has been writing about mattresses and sleep health for six years. He is the lead reviewer at Mattress Clarity where he tests mattresses, bedding, and sleep accessories.

In his role here, Marten’s reviewed over 500 mattresses and 150 sleep accessories (so you can rest assured that if he recommends a product, it’s been put through the wringer in our Austin studio). In addition, he has written more than 400 articles reviewing the quality of sleep and sleep products as well as sleep health. He’s especially interested in the correlation between sleep and mental health.

Marten’s also got a personal stake in sleep health. After writing dozens of pieces on the dangers of sleep apnea, he decided to get tested for the condition. Realizing he did, in fact, suffer from sleep apnea, he immediately started using a CPAP machine. He knows all too well the importance of a healthy night’s sleep and is passionate about helping others get the healthy, restorative sleep they deserve.

He received his bachelor’s degree in Film Production from Denison University and his master’s degree in Film Studies from Emory University.

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