Bedsteads up, pocket sprung down: latest bed buying habits revealed

Bedsteads are enjoying a resurgence, foam mattresses have overtaken pocket springs in shoppers’ popularity and local authorities are struggling to collect old mattress.

Some 27% of all purchases were mattresses and bedsteads together, up from 24.5% in 2023 and 22% in 2022. They are especially popular with the 16-24-year-old age group, 43% choosing them; and 25-34-year-olds (37.5%). But older age groups have lost interest, only 15% of the over 55s opting for this combination (down from 22% in 2023), according to the NBF’s latest consumer survey of 1,000 adults who bought a new mattress or bed in the past 12 months.

Roll up mattresses continue to lose favour year-on-year, only 24% choosing this option compared with 27% two years ago.

Foam mattresses saw an increase from 38% to 43% of the total, with pocket spring options slipping to second place (42%), although the age split of younger buyers opting for foam and the over 55s for pockets still holds. Memory foam increased from 45% to 48% as the comfort layer of choice, while natural fillings account for less than 10%.

Mattress only purchases top the bill at 55% (up from 53% last year) while divan sets dropped to 17% of the total compared to 21% last year.

Prices have not shifted much since last year, despite inflationary pressures. The mean price paid across all sizes and types was £595, up from £565, with the vast majority – 76% – spending up to £799 and 43% (down from 46%) paying less than £400.

Just 10% of shoppers said they had their old mattress collected by their local council, compared with 15% two years ago and 11.5% in 2023. Some 17% reported having their old mattress taken away by the company delivering their new one, up from 14% – although it was the over 55s who were more likely to opt for this. A fifth still make take their mattress to local authority facilities to be recycled.

The vast majority of consumers – 73% – say they will pay more for a ‘greener’ mattress which would not end up in landfill at the end of its life, but 31% said they would pay up to 5% more; 40% between 6% and 10% and just 17% (down from 19%) said they would pay between 11% and 15% more.

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