Futon mattress designer Gold Bond announced that it will introduce its “Visco Classic” futon at its new showroom at High Point Market this October 17-22, 2009. With a suggested retail price of $399 in full, the Visco Classic is a premium quality futon that offers the luxurious, shape-conforming feel of visco-elastic memory foam.
The new Visco Classic futon and other premium lines can be seen during High Point Market at space M-610 in the IHFC building.
While mattress industry sales have been on the decline, futons have showed sales increases, according to the company. In a recent poll of its dealers, Gold Bond found that more than 60-percent were enlarging their selection of futons.
“Futons have become the bright spot in sleep shop sales,” said Gold Bond President Robert Naboicheck. “Our futon business is up, lately driven in large part by our solid oak furniture program; these are high quality frames that have been dropped by other suppliers who are eliminating entire sku’s to economize.”
The success of catalog companies has also fueled demand for Gold Bond futons. In recent weeks the company’s state-of-the-art factory in Hartford, Conn. has accommodated large increases in futon orders placed by its third-party catalog and private label business.
Futons matching the comfort and quality of conventional mattresses are also providing an affordable alternative to new mattress purchases. Don Baumgartner, a Gold Bond distributor based in Fort Worth, has noticed an increase among south and Midwest region consumers opting for futon mattresses to accompany platform bed furniture, for example.
“In today’s economy, consumers have gotten creative with their spending and realized that well-made futons can make comfortable beds for everyday use,” said Baumgartner. “I’m currently offering both futon frames and platform bed furniture styles to accompany the Gold Bond futon.”
Gold Bond’s Visco Classic is an eight-inch futon that features three inches of visco-elastic memory foam along with five inches of supportive urethane foam. It offers comfort, versatility, and a modern aesthetic when placed on a platform bed.
In addition to the new Visco Classic, Gold Bond will present its other futon collections including its popular Comfort Coil ($199) and FeatherTouch ($279), which, weighing only 45 pounds, solves one of the top consumer complaints about futons; and The Natural ($149), featuring 100% natural cotton batting and available on a sustainable rubber wood frame.
Founded in 1899, Gold Bond is one of the nation’s largest family-operated independent mattress, specialty sleep and futon manufacturers. The company is a leader in mattress manufacturing techniques and more than a century of experience bring product innovations, high manufacturing standards and executive leadership to the industry.
Gold Bond currently ships to 49 states and 12 countries, and its products are available at more than 500 retail showrooms. For more information, visit www.goldbondmattress.com.