Mattresses, not stereos is where the money is


On my way to Macy’s, to buy a bed, which is about 6 blocks from my office, I passed by literally 6 different mattress stores. 3 of them practically on the same block.

The competition is fierce, and it seems almost all of them were selling Tempurpedic and Sealy (which I think are owned by the same company.) They even had at least one paid sign holder with a sign directing you 1 block away to another store.

Think of that. 6 stores selling $500-$4500 goods, in a Los Angeles suburb. They are all paying rent, and staying open.

I know the average retail markup for stereo gear is around 45%. What must the mark up be for mattress stores to stay open with this much competition? 90%?

I still went to Macy’s. :) Two simultaneous discounts + a modular bed system with replaceable coils sang to my geek heart.

By comparison, the nearest high end audio store is about 30 minutes away.
erik_squires
I took this literally and as far as you guys know I don't have $10 Grand stashed inside my mattress. I swear.
"If I find it is too firm or too soft they will send me different coils to put in.
Who would have guessed there is a DIY mattress market, too?
How big is the mattress warehouse? All the stores I saw are relatively small.

By the way, there are electronics (and home appliance) stores that expanded their portfolio to....mattresses. No kidding. Try PC Richards in the Northeastern U.S.A.