The latest consumer research by the National Bed Federation (NBF) has revealed that consumers are replacing their mattresses more rapidly.
The research, which is undertaken twice a year, found that three quarters of people (75%) replace their bed at least every 10 years, with the mean replacement being every 6.9 years. This is down from a mean of 7.2 years in 2018, 7.4 in 2017 and 7.9 in 2016.
Simon Williams, marketing manager of the NBF, says: “It would seem that a growing number of consumers are replacing their mattresses every seven years. This is a 10-year drop from 1995, when consumers bought a new mattress on average every 17 years. The new figures represent a significant change in attitude among consumers who, little more than 20 years ago, expected mattresses to almost be a once- or twice-in-a-lifetime purchase.”
The NBF and its consumer education arm, The Sleep Council, recommend that mattresses are replaced every seven to eight years, as during that time it will have clocked up around 20,000 hours of use. The guideline follows research that showed beds as little as six years old could offer significantly less support and comfort than a new one, thanks to wear and tear not just from body weight and movement, but also sweat and debris such as skin scales, hair, etc.
Says Simon: “The bed replacement message is something we’ve been talking about since 1995 when we set up The Sleep Council. It’s proof that our campaigns are having the desired effect and that consumers are paying more attention to their bed, how long they’ve had it and the role it plays in getting a good night’s sleep.”
The consumer research also found that people are paying more for new beds, with 52% spending more than £400 in 2019, compared to 49% in 2018, 48% in 2017 and 49% in 2016.
