Welcome to the first installment of Bedding News Now’s inaugural look at the best mattress retailers across the country. This report profiles bedding standouts in the Northeast.
We developed these reports by inviting industry submissions, combing through the latest installment of the Home News Now 125 Furniture and Bedding Retailers, and then identifying other mattress retailers known for their commitment to the category. After reviewing our candidates with several bedding manufacturers, suppliers and consultants, we arrived at our selections for the five Best In Bedding retailers in each region.
We excluded national mattress retailers like Mattress Firm, which have a strong presence in many regions in the country. We also excluded direct-to-consumer retailers, a growing force in the mattress category. Future reports will examine those other types of retailers. Our focus now is local and regional mattress stars.
The retailers we are saluting are not listed by volume. Our goal is not to simply recognize mattress revenues, although many of these retailers are generating high mattress volumes, but to celebrate depth of commitment to the mattress category in all sizes of bedding operations, from single-store giants to chains with hundreds of stores. Our selections spotlight brick-and-mortar powerhouses who stand tall in the regions they first began serving years ago – and who continue to embody excellence in mattress retailing today.
We asked leaders from the mattress manufacturing sector and industry consultants to comment on each of our notable mattress retailers.
Bob’s Discount Furniture, based in Manchester, Conn., operates across 24 states with showrooms averaging 33,000 square feet. In 2024, opened 20 stores (19 new locations, one relocation) including a new flagship experience at its Somerville, Mass., location. Its own mattress brand, Treasure, was featured on The Today Show and recognized by Consumer Reports.
Why they stand out: “Bob’s Discount Furniture has a clear direction that mattresses are an important part of their identity,” says Jim Nation, vice president of national sales at South Bay International. “The Bob O Pedic Mattress established that they are the value leader in the category. Bob’s is committed to a strong private label program. In addition, Bob’s is on trend with mattress designs and technologies, including upscale memory foam models, hybrids, and bed in a box offerings. Bob’s is all about providing the customers with the best values.”
Raymour & Flanigan, based in Liverpool, N.Y., operates throughout the Northeast in Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Delaware, New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Sells furniture, mattresses and home décor through its retail stores, clearance centers, outlets and online. Average square footage of stores, 52,000 square feet. Top bedding brands include Tempur-Pedic, Sealy and Serta/Simmons.
Why they stand out: “Raymour & Flanigan features a very strong mattress presence in all of its stores,” says David Binke, CEO of King Koil. “The company features well-trained, professional salespeople who are equally knowledgeable in furniture and mattresses. And it is able to sell high-end, luxury mattresses.”
Jordan’s Furniture, based in East Taunton, Mass., is part of Berkshire Hathaway’s home furnishings group. That group consists of Jordan’s, with eight showrooms; Nebraska Furniture Mart of Omaha,
Neb.; R.C. Willey of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Star Furniture of Houston. Jordan’s is known for its mix of retail and entertainment, using attractions like IMAX theaters and indoor ropes courses to attract consumers and shoppers.
Why they stand out: “I’ve done business with Jordan’s for over 25 years,” says Shawn Slattery, senior vice president for eastern region sales at Serta Simmons Bedding. “They’re a standout retailer and exceptional partner. Their stores are true destinations, built around experience and integrity. That’s the magic of Jordan’s—they make furniture shopping an experience, and they represent brands with care every step of the way.”
Cardi’s Furniture & Mattresses, based in Swansea, Mass., has a family history that spans almost a century and operates stores in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. The Cardi family’s personal, hands-on commitment to service and selection continues to drive the business.
Why they stand out: “One of the big reasons that Cardi’s is successful is ‘NIROPE,’ an acronym that stands for Nick, Ron and Peter Cardi,” says Nick Bates, president and chief executive officer of Spring Air International. “For years consumers in their marketplace have seen the Cardi family on NIROPE TV doing interviews and talking about products and how they benefit consumers. They have always been very visible, and they give back, and consumers get the message that Cardi’s is not just a retailer looking to make money, but they truly support and are a part of the fabric of the community as well. NIROPE is their way of showing people that when they do business with Cardi’s, they are not just buying from a giant corporation, they are buying from the Cardi family.”
Cardi’s Furniture & Mattresses, based in Swansea, Mass., has a family history that spans almost a century and operates stores in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. The Cardi family’s personal, hands-on commitment to service and selection continues to drive the business.
Why they stand out: “One of the big reasons that Cardi’s is successful is ‘NIROPE,’ an acronym that stands for Nick, Ron and Peter Cardi,” says Nick Bates, president and chief executive officer of Spring Air International. “For years consumers in their marketplace have seen the Cardi family on NIROPE TV doing interviews and talking about products and how they benefit consumers. They have always been very visible, and they give back, and consumers get the message that Cardi’s is not just a retailer looking to make money, but they truly support and are a part of the fabric of the community as well. NIROPE is their way of showing people that when they do business with Cardi’s, they are not just buying from a giant corporation, they are buying from the Cardi family.”
Bernie & Phyl’s, based in Norton, Mass., is a New England retailer operating showrooms in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, as well as an e-commerce site.
Why they stand out: “Bernie & Phyl’s is a standout in Massachusetts,” says SSB’s Shawn Slattery. “The Rubin family is warm, community-minded, and deeply committed, both to their business and to causes close to their heart. Their stores are beautiful, and they’re a pleasure to work with. Great partners, great people.”
Help us celebrate mattress retail excellence: Bedding News Now will be joining with Andmore to host a bedding event at the Las Vegas Market on Monday, July 28, at 4:30 p.m. at World View on the 16th floor of Building B on the World Market Center campus. We will be honoring top mattress retailers at that event, which is open to the public. Cocktails and appetizers will be served following a 20-minute salute to our Best In Bedding retailers.
