ALEXANDRIA, Va.–The International Sleep Products Association has formed a Mattress Retailer Council, and has begun a national marketing campaign for the mattress industry.
According to an ISPA statement, the retailer council will seek ways to create interaction between mattress retailers, manufacturers and suppliers on industry issues. The marketing effort will act to build awareness among consumers of the role mattresses play in improving the quality of sleep and health, and thus broaden the market for mattress sales. Charlie Eitel, chairman and chief executive officer of Simmons and chairman of ISPA, said Simmons would contribute $2 to the campaign for every foundation it sells beginning Jan. 1, 2009, thus producing an annual contribution of $5 million.
ISPA has also debuted the National Mattress Industry Sustainability Initiative, which will elevate the mattress industry’s contributions to the environment. ISPA members will work with retailers and scrap recyclers to reduce the disposal of mattresses in landfills, and to increase the recycling of used mattress materials.