DFS clinched National Bed Retailer of the Year for the first time at last night’s Bed Industry Awards.
Despite industry challenges, its beds and mattress category continues to grow impressively, with NBF members contributing the vast majority of revenue. The company’s successes included improved online performance, expanded NBF-member ranges in-store and robust sustainability initiatives while holding its suppliers and sub-contractors accountable. The retailer also has a dedicated NBF Retail Champion webpage to educate customers about the trade association and the importance of buying NBF-approved.
The finalists were Bensons for Beds, Dreams and Furniture Village.
MattressNextDay was crowned Online Bed Retailer of the Year for the second time.
The online retailer achieved a remarkable year-on-year increase in turnover and profit while prioritising exceptional customer experience by continually improving website performance and design and investing in its active social media programme. It demonstrated strong NBF brand support, a solid sustainability programme and impressive corporate social responsibility initiatives for employees and the local community.
The finalists were Mattress Online and Simba Sleep, with Land of Beds highly commended.
Dreamland Bedding Centre, a Retail Champion that stocks predominantly NBF-approved brands, won Small NBF Retail Champion of the Year.
The Brierley Hill, West Midlands retailer provides strong online and offline support for the NBF and its member brands, including bespoke POS and a robust marketing and advertising programme. Solid financial markers, a zero-to-landfill policy and fantastic staff training and development, including age-friendly business training and apprenticeships, made Dreamland the worthy winner.
The finalists were Prestige Beds and The M6 Bed Warehouse, with Linthorpe Beds highly commended.
The Bed Post took home the Large NBF Retail Champion of the Year award for the first time.
The six-store south-east of England retailer reported healthy sales and profit uplifts across all its branches, with standout online performance and excellent customer satisfaction. It strongly supports NBF brands and has invested in staff training, POS and innovative marketing strategies. The judges commended its social responsibility through fair bed disposal and support for local causes.
Sussex Beds was runner up.
‘The industry renowned awards are a valued opportunity to recognise the standout companies and individuals in the UK and Irish bed sector. Congratulations to all the worthy winners and finalists and those who put themselves forward to be judged,’ says Tean Dallaway, NBF president.
