I was browsing a mattress store the other day and noticed every single bed had some fancy name like 'Harmony Luxe' or 'Cloud Supreme.' When did this become a thing? Was it always like this or did some marketing genius decide 'firm' and 'soft' weren't enough anymore?
Retail History
When did mattress stores start using branded model names?
I think it's been around for a whi le. My grandparents bought a 'Posturepedic' back in the 80s, so at least since then. Maybe earlier.
Pretty sure it's a conspiracy to make comparison shopping impossible. Can't compare the 'Serenity Plush' at one store to the 'Tranquil Plush' at another because they're 'totally different' models.
Actually, branded names go back further than you'd think. Sears introduced the 'Golden Sleep' mattress in the 1920s. The naming was tied to the manufacturer's brand, though, not a specific model line. The modern trend of every store having its own exclusive model names probably ramped up in the 1990s when the big chains started demanding unique SKUs so you couldn't price-match.
So basically it's all a scam to make sure you can't just buy the same bed cheaper elsewhere. Got it.
Not entirely. It also lets them differentiate by quality. But yeah, the price-matching thing is a big part.
Interesting. So the names themselves aren't new, bur the store-exclusive thing is more recent. That makes sense. I just want to know if I'm getting ripped off because I can't compare.
I used to sell mattresses. The names are literally made up on the spot sometimes. Same bed, different cover, new name. 'Revitalize' vs 'Rejuvenate'—identical guts
This is why I just buy the cheapest one and hope for the best. Names don't mean anything.
That's a bold strategy. My back hurts just reading that.
If you want to avoid the markup, look for a local manufacturer or a store that sells generic models. They exist, but they're rare.