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Gold Bond futon mattresses have gained a few new customers with the closing of United Sleep Products. Many futon companies were left scambling for a new mattress manufacturer with the United Sleep’s unannounced closing this past month. Gold Bond was in position to help fill a void that many existed for many futon furniture companies and it is likely they will pick up a few more.

At the same time, the futon industry as contracted to some degree, as various retail companies have gone out of business. Part of the reason so many companies have gone under, is due to the fact that futons have moved from a specialty item to a more on-the-rack Wal-Mart type product. Today, every major and minor retail company seems to have three or four futons in a back room to offer their customers. They are common, cheap and disposable.

Further hurting the industry is the fact that there are so many options to satisfy the same type of need. Traditional sofa sleepers still have piece of the pie, of course. The re-introduction of the Castro-convertible–now called the click-clack sofa bed, has gained tremendous attention in the $299 to $399 range. Airbeds continue to claim market share from the futon industry as well. All of these items have made it hard for smaller mom and pop futon stores to compete. Many larger retail stores may been in trouble as well. Their larger overheads and deeper inventories tend to be more than a shrinking futon market may be able to sustain.

Another thing is that people who purchased quality futons years ago still have them. Maybe they need a futon cover or perhaps a new futon mattress, but with fuel prices, these customers may opt for the $49 futon cover and call it a day. Other futon owners who made the mistake of buying a cheap, uncomfortable futon three to five years ago, have learned to hate futons and their guests along with them.

Finally, traditional beds still hold value for many homeowners who want their guest rooms to look like bedrooms, not mini-living rooms.

All of these factors, including a spike in costs have burdened the futon industry. Fuel prices also burden potential customers who now opt for a Walmart futon or no futon at all. Many home owners have purchased homes with adjustable loans that are about to grossly change their spending habits.

Only the leanest and most efficient futon companies will be able to weather the growing storm. Providing excellent customer service and products will become the key to making money in a weakening market. Still, be prepared to see a great many futon companies go out of business in the coming months as July and August prove to be weak and uneventful for many futon dealers.

Futon Planet would like to wish all the futon dealers of the world the best of luck. Remember that dealers can help one another in small ways. For example, two companies that operate in the same city might call each other and discuss options of trading or selling parts of their unwanted inventories.

Another scenario to consider would involve satisfying a customer who has shopped around. For example, a customer wants a futon cover seen at your competitor’s, but wants to buy your frame and mattress. Perhaps you might call the other dealer and have them ship it to your store or your customer’s home. This way the customer is satisfied, you have made a sale, and helped your fellow futon neighbor.

Finally, spruce up your stores and give your futon sales people a pep talk. Sometimes it just takes a little bit more energy to help the customer decide to buy a futon from your store. As they say, a little extra goes a long way.

Good luck all!

Posted on June 21st, 2007 by futonplanet
Filed under: Futon News