David Perry — Furniture Today
HIGH POINT — Bedding from China remains on the ascent, according to producers showing Chinese beds at


the spring market here. They said retailers increasingly are turning to their value-driven offerings as they seek to drive business in a tough business climate.

Showing for the first time in High Point was Stylution, a leading Chinese bedding producer. It had 11 beds, retailing from $699 to $1,999, and also exhibited occasional tables and upholstery that it makes in China.

Ed Scott, president of Stylution USA, said the new federal flammability standard is a plus for his company. “With the new FR standard, every retailer … (has) to go to an FR line,” he said. “If they have to change and they have been thinking about China, they’ll be ready to make a change to China.”

He said Stylution, which began shipping to the U.S. market over a year ago, may establish three or four warehouses in this country. “This would allow retailers to supplement their container purchases to avoid any out-of-stock situations,” Scott said.

Carolina Mattress Guild expanded its Chinese visco program this market, with beds retailing from $749 to $999. And that producer also exhibited a children’s visco line from China that comes in five colors: aqua, banana, lime, hot pink and royal blue. The beds arrive compressed and boxed and ready for shipment to retailers. The children’s line is called i snooze, and retails at $399 for a twin mattress, and $499 for a full.

“The youth furniture category is continuing to grow dramatically,” said CMG President Neal Grigg. “Consumers are starting to buy better products for their children.”

Also showing Chinese bedding here was Alfa Airbeds, which has a factory in Shenzhen. Jeff Kao, sales manager, said the airbeds, retailing at $1,199 to $1,299, are shipped in four boxes that can be sent via UPS. The company warehouses in the United States and also offers container programs.

Both Alfa Airbeds and Carolina Mattress Guild had showrooms in The Bedding Center at the Suites at Market Square. CMG also exhibited at its factory showroom in nearby Thomasville.

Coaster continued to do well with its line of Chinese visco beds, said Kerry Cochran, sales manager. “It’s on a steady growth curve,” he said. “Larger bedding retailers looked at us because of this line.”

The company also offers a ready-to-assemble foundation that is protected with FR materials, and can be shipped UPS. In addition, Coaster continues to offer an adjustable bed with battery back-up and wireless remote controls.

Coaster is broadening its visco offerings with children’s beds in twin and full sizes. The mattresses come with blue or pink covers.

Canadian-based Primo International, meanwhile, said its Chinese bedding program remains robust. John DeFalco, executive vice president, said, “Retailers recognize that brands are probably a little less important than they used to be. Right now it’s a value-driven consumer. And we can give them beds for 50% less (than the big brands), and the dealers can make 60 or 70 points (of margin).”

Primo’s line retails from $299 to about $1,499. At market, the company showed a 14-inch visco pillowtop bed retailing at $999 — “with a big margin,” DeFalco said. Primo also offered a $999 latex bed.