Mattress Firm Looks To Increase Its Empire

Few weeks ago, after having announced its second quarter results, Mattress Firm thought it had captivating news.

Profit had multiplied three times, contrary to the expectations of analysts.  Having already bought one company during the current year, it planned to buy one more.

But all that failed to impress the investors, who estimated the latest purchase of the company to adversely affect short term profit.   The stock lost 3.2 percent, falling down by $1.03 to close at $31.42 in morning trading session of Friday.

Many analysts attributed the loss to wrong communication as investors remained focused on short term profit and loss rather than long term profits.

Thursday, Mattress Firm, based in Houston, announced its plans to invest $15.8 million for buying Mattress X-Press that has a chain of only 35 stores spread over Georgia and Florida.

Mattress Firm reported that it expected the newly acquired business to add to its revenue right away and to earnings in the coming year.

Mattress Firm had bought another of its rivals, Mattress Giant, in May. Though that added to the revenue of Mattress Firm, it worked hard to match production levels of Mattress Giant with its own.  Analyst reported that closing sales at certain stores of Mattress Giant reflected on profitably.

Market analysts KeyBanc had a long term view.  In a message to its customers on Friday, the analysts headed by Bradley Thomas thought the new acquisitions would provide a strong position to Mattress Firm in 2013 because the recovering housing market should boost sale of mattresses. Taking consideration of the significant improvements made by Mattress Firm in the old Mattress Giant stores, the analysts forecast higher earning for Mattress Firm in the next year.

Thomas pointed out that modernization of mattresses in “specialty” category should prove beneficial for Mattress Firm. Specialty mattresses comprise nearly 49 percent sales of Mattress Firm, one year ago that figure was 43 percent.

But what does this mean for us, people who want to buy reliable and comfortable mattresses at decent prices? I think more competition is the best for the buyer...I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

Donate A Mattress, Don't Throw It Away

Instead of sending your old mattress to the local landfill, you could perhaps consider donating it to one of the many agencies accepting such donations. It may reach a needy person and save the environments too! That would really prove the old adage that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

If the mattress is free from any stains and in a reasonably good shape, many organizations would be willing to accept that as a donation. Some of them may even arrange to have it picked up from your place. Certain charities don’t accept mattresses without foundation. So, you would better check up on that with the agency beforehand. Some dealers offer to pick up your old mattress if you order a new matter on them, but usually they just dispose that old piece of yours. Why not try donating it rather? Making donations help people sleep better!

Agencies to consider for mattress donation:

* Catholic Charities
* Furniture Banks across America partnered with National Furniture Bank Association
* Local homeless or battered women's shelters
* National Furniture Bank Association
* Vietnam Veterans’ of America
* The Hope Clinic in Fairfax, VA supports local uninsured families medically, spiritually and emotionally. Families seeking their help have little or no money and most lack necessities of life. So, if you happen to be in Washington DC or its surrounding areas, you should definitely consider this organization and offer donation by way of mattress or any other way you feel fit
* DonationTown.Org
Better known organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Salvation Army do not accept mattresses because of hygienic issues and sanitary bedding laws. Yet, certain Salvation Army stores are known to have accepted mattresses provided these are free on any stains or spots. It would be recommendable to call the location and get the required information before hand.

Here are some more ideas worth considering: Posting on Freecycle.org or local Craigslist website, but be sure to convey that you don’t intend selling it and are offering it free if it could be picked up. It’s also good to point out if the mattress has any stains or structural flaws and explore the possibility if you could provide photo of the mattress. Perhaps, you can post it on your Facebook page and a local friend in need may pick it up. You may even consider posting flyers at neighborhood schools.

Save Your Existing Mattress? Try a Topper Pad

Before you really decide to condemn your present mattress as you don’t find it comfortable anymore, there are a few possibilities you could try to enhance its comfort level. One possibility that generally works with latex and memory foam mattresses too is to have a mattress topper. In case the mattress is even and firm and free of hammock or dips, having a topper for the mattress can certainly help extending the life of your mattress by quite a few years. It adds to the comfort level of your existing mattress and improves your sleep. These toppers are generally available in varying thicknesses of two to three inches, though you do get them one and four inch thickness too. You need to choose one as per your weight. For instance, a heavier person, weighing say 190 lbs, should opt to have one of three inch thickness. If you weigh lower than that it would be appropriate to have two inch thickness. So, you should try this possibility before parting with your mattress as a donation.

Mattress Sagging? Try This

At times you may notice that the mattress is beginning to sag. It could possibly be due its foundation. Under such circumstances having a board of plywood or just pressboard of ¼ or ½ inch thickness on top of your present foundation can reduce sagging. These boards are available at Home Depot or Lowes and they cut it to your required size. It’s better to have them cut short by at least an inch in length and width to avoid having protrusions. If this arrangement fails to work, you may consider buying a new foundation for an extended life of your mattress. Foam mattresses like latex and memory foam require an even regular bottom foundation.

Get A Mattress Topper Or $100 For Your Mattress Review!

Hi everyone. We hope you're handling the autumn well and getting ready for those cold winter days. No? Still not ready for the cold nights and for getting into uncomfortably chilly sheets to get some sleep?

Well, we decided to help you with that. And we think a heated mattress pad or a mattress topper would help you fall asleep faster and have a relaxing sleep throughout the winter. If you think about it, it's hard to find someone who would say NO to that.

In case you are interested, here are the details. All you need to do is write a review of your mattress and send that review to us by December 24th. It doesn't matter what kind of mattress it is or whether it is a topper or heated mattress pad. It can be a mattress that is two or five years old or it can be the one you bought last week. As long as it's something you sleep on, it is perfect for your review.

You are free to write a positive or a negative review, make it dramatic or completely hilarious. Write it the way you want it, (the way you feel is appropriate). We believe this is the best way to show someone how good or bad your mattress really is. And the purpose of the review is the following: to help a person that is going to read it. We want all blog readers to benefit - you, who write the review, and YOU, who will be reading it in order to learn something and get some good shopping info.

The mattress review that strikes us the most will get a mattress topper of your choice of up to $100. Second best contestant will get $50 and the third will get $25.

We know that some of you don't need a mattress topper, and if this is the case, you can get the $100 prize through PayPal. The same stands for the 2nd and 3rd prize.

Now, we're gonna give you a few guidelines to help you write your mattress review. It'll help you see what sorts of things would be welcome and what info would be useful for the mattress-buyers-to-be.

- Name of the brand and model

- Where did you buy it? Were you happy with the service?

- How much did it cost?

- Did you have any other models in mind when you were shopping for that mattress?

- What made you go for this specific model?

- Are you satisfied with your purchase?

- What are your personal feelings about the mattress?

- Anything else that comes to your mind.

You're also free to send a photo of either your mattress or yourself, but it's not necessary to win the contest. Now, we realize there will be a few of you who'll be smart enough to get the both in a photo. That's perfectly fine.

That's it, ladies and gentlemen. If you have any questions regarding the contest, write a comment here and we'll get back to you. Send your reviews to this email address: contact at mattresstopperguide.com

Until next time,
Mattress Reviews Team