Does your retail operation have its own sleep expert?
Sit ’n Sleep does. Dr. Danielle Wall is a board-certified Internal Medicine Physician and the resident Sleep Advisor at Sit ‘n Sleep, which has nearly 40 locations across Southern California.
Dr. Wall specializes in translating sleep science into practical, evidence-based guidance for consumers. The benefits of having her on the retailer’s team are clear, and Dr. Wall has been kind enough to share some of her vast knowledge and insight about sleep with the bedding industry.
Bedding News Now: How has sleep technology advanced in recent years? What are some trends?
Dr. Wall: Sleep technology has become much more sophisticated and accessible in recent years. We’ve moved beyond basic sleep timers and alarms to devices that can track sleep duration, heart rate, movement, breathing patterns and other indicators that may help people better understand their sleep habits. Wearables and connected sleep products are also becoming more personalized, with technology increasingly focused on helping users identify patterns rather than simply collecting data.
One important trend is the shift toward using sleep data to support better habits. Consumers are becoming more interested in understanding how factors such as bedtime consistency, temperature, activity and stress may affect their sleep.
BNN: Do consumers expect technology in their sleep systems today?
Dr. Wall: I think consumers increasingly expect some level of technology, particularly as smart devices have become part of everyday life. However, there is still a wide range in how much technology people actually want in their sleep environment.
For some people, tracking sleep can provide useful insight and motivation to establish healthier routines. For others, constantly monitoring sleep can create unnecessary anxiety. The most useful technology is ultimately technology that helps someone understand their sleep without making them feel like they have to constantly monitor or optimize it.
BNN: Do they understand the value of sleep technology?
Dr. Wall: Consumers are becoming more aware of the potential value, but there is still a learning curve. Sleep technology can provide useful information about patterns and behaviors, but it shouldn’t be viewed as a diagnostic tool.
The value is really in using the information as a starting point. If someone notices that they consistently sleep less or have significant changes in their sleep patterns, that can encourage them to look at their habits or speak with a healthcare professional when appropriate.
BNN: How should mattress retailers talk to customers about wearables?
Dr. Wall: Retailers should focus on education rather than simply presenting wearables as another product to purchase. Customers should understand what a device actually measures, what its limitations are and how the information can potentially help them.
It’s also important to emphasize that better sleep isn’t necessarily about collecting more data. A wearable should support healthy sleep habits rather than create pressure to achieve a particular sleep score every night.
BNN: What opportunity do they offer mattress retailers?
Dr. Wall: Wearables and other sleep technologies give mattress retailers an opportunity to broaden the conversation from the mattress itself to the overall sleep experience. A mattress is one component of a healthy sleep environment, while factors such as sleep schedules, temperature, comfort and daily habits also play important roles.
Technology can help retailers engage with consumers around those broader sleep needs and provide a more educational shopping experience.
BNN: Should mattress retailers carry these devices in their stores?
Dr. Wall: There can be an opportunity for retailers to carry or showcase sleep technology, particularly if they can connect the products to a broader conversation about sleep health. But retailers should be selective and make sure the technology they recommend has a clear purpose and is easy for consumers to understand.
The goal shouldn’t be to make the sleep environment more complicated. Technology should ideally make it easier for consumers to understand their habits and make informed choices about their sleep.
