The retail winners of the 2023 Bed Industry Awards have been revealed.
Dreams clinched National Bed Retailer of the Year – for the third year running – having recently celebrated nine years of consecutive profit growth. The judges recognised its passion for customer service and impressive ratings, and strong support of both NBF manufacturer and supplier members. Staff development is a priority for the chain, with several training packages and a financial support programme for employees.
Bensons for Beds, DFS, and Furniture Village were finalists.
MattressNextDay was crowned Online Bed Retailer of the Year for the first time. The retailer launched its new website in late 2022, with significant investments in photography, videography, an AI mattress finder tool and comprehensive blog. Eradicating plastic packaging and an impressive upturn in traffic, orders and average transaction value helped to secure MattressNextDay as this year’s winner.
Mattress Online was runner up.
Peter Betteridge – Your Bed Expert, a Premier Retail Champion which stocks entirely NBF approved brands, won Small NBF Retail Champion of the Year. In the past year, the Southwest-based retailer saw a healthy increase in sales volumes and an up-tick in margin. It completed a significant extension to one of their showrooms and increased presence of NBF-approved brands. Other highlights included enhancing its social media presence and launching new IT systems.
Dreamland Bedding, Linthorpe Beds and Now to Bed were finalists.
Previous winner in the NBF Bed Awards, Sussex Beds, scooped the Large NBF Retail Champion of the Year award. Over the past year, Sussex Beds has achieved record net profit with two new store openings, as well as a full rebrand and new product training video programme for staff. Partnering with a sleep expert has not only supported the sleep of both the retailer’s customers and staff but helped to enhance their web and social media presence.
The Bed Post was runner up.
The judges were Andrew Kidd (Interiors Monthly), Bernard Eaton (Greenwood Retail) and Dan Squires (Big Furniture Group).
‘The industry renowned Bed Industry 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 Jim Gerety, National Bed Federation president.
The awards ceremony closed with a special Lifetime Achievement Award for Jessica Alexander, former NBF executive director for 17 years, before stepping down in spring 2023, with Tristine Hargreaves taking the helm.