ISPA’s Mattress Retailer Council has first meeting
Dale Carlsen, Barrie Brown elected to lead panel
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, August 15, 2008
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Two well-known bedding retailers have been elected to top positions on the new Mattress Retailer Council established by the International Sleep Products Assn.
Dale Carlsen, president of The Sleep Train, Citrus Heights, Calif., was elected chairman of the council and Barrie Brown, president of Addison, Texas-based Mattress Giant, is vice chairman.
More than 30 industry executives representing mattress retailers, manufacturers and suppliers attended the council’s inaugural meeting. Among the key topics discussed: The development of a national marketing campaign and a national sustainability initiative, and sales associate education and training.
During the session, the Mattress Retailer Council members approved its operating guidelines. Its charter says the group “shall be dedicated to expanding the market for mattresses, enhancing customer relations, and facilitating efforts among mattress retailers, manufacturers and component suppliers to improve the consumer’s mattress buying experience. The Mattress Retailer Council will provide ISPA with a forum for the mattress retail sector to discuss significant opportunities and challenges facing the mattress industry.”
“By bringing together retailers, manufacturers and their suppliers, we are well positioned to achieve our goal of expanding the market for mattress sales,” said Carlsen.
The 10 founding members include senior representatives of Art Van Furniture, Macy’s Home, Mattress Discounters, Mattress Firm, Mattress Giant, R.C. Willey, Sit ‘N Sleep, Sleepy’s, Slumberland and The Sleep Train.
“While ISPA remains a manufacturer-focused organization, this new council provides an excellent opportunity for us to collectively work together to the benefit of the entire industry, ” said ISPA President Dick Doyle.
The ISPA Mattress Retailer Council will meet twice a year in conjunction with the Las Vegas Market.
