National Bed Retailer of the Year
Winner
DFS
Despite industry challenges, its beds and mattress category continues to grow impressively, with NBF members contributing the vast majority of revenue. DFS’ successes included improved online performance, expanded NBF member ranges in store and robust sustainability initiatives holding their suppliers and subcontractors to account. The retailer also has a dedicated NBF Retail Champion webpage to educate customers about the trade association and importance of buying NBF-approved.
Finalists
Bensons for Beds
In a challenging economic climate, Bensons’ sales continued to rise, driven by in-store and online growth. New product launches from Slumberland and eveSleep’s wunderflip bolstered sales. Enhanced customer service, staff training and sustainability initiatives, alongside innovative and interactive marketing strategies supported overall success.
Dreams
Enjoyed a year of record investment in stores, technology and transportation and excellent financial performance. Developed an innovative online tool to measure customers’ movement and support needs resulting in significant revenue. Launched a multichannel marketing campaign and significantly invested in staff development programmes.
Furniture Village
A solid year for Furniture Village, enjoying a healthy uplift across beds and bedroom and a new-look concept store including NBF-branded POS, video screens and product cards, with roll-out plans for all stores. Clear branding across NBF member landing pages and incorporation of the NBF Intro to Beds course in its onboarding programme.
Online Bed Retailer of the Year
Winner
MattressNextDay
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 CSR initiatives for employees and the local community.
Finalists
Highly Commended: Land of Beds
Launched a new user-centric website in August 2023, driving an impressive sales increase and growth in all online trading areas. Significantly improved user experience, increased website video content that welcomed a commendable uplift in conversion rates, and substantially increased social media engagement through targeted advertising.
Mattress Online
Mattress Online navigated a challenging business climate with a focus on improvement by launching a new store, enhancing online features with clear NBF-branded products and prioritising customer experience. Despite market difficulties, achieved a healthy conversion rate increase, expanded sustainability efforts and strengthened community and industry partnerships.
Simba Sleep
Simba’s welcomed a healthy uplift in sales from the previous year and obtained 300,000 five-star reviews in 2023, cementing its status as a top-rated mattress brand with impressive UK market share and customer service. Introduced eco-friendly practices, such as B Corp certification and mattress recycling initiatives, strengthening its image as a true sleep brand.
Small NBF Retail Champion of the Year
Winner
Dreamland Bedding Centre, Brierley Hill
The Midlands-based retailer has very 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.
Finalists
Highly Commended: Linthorpe Beds, Stockton-on-Tees
Produced record results for the period. Significant emphasis on NBF-approved brands and prominent in-store POS promoting their NBF Retail Champion Status. Provides a comprehensive staff training package and full recycling service with a strong online and offline marketing programme.
Prestige Beds, Blackburn
Prestige Beds celebrated its 65th year with significant investment in their stores and the community. Proudly promote their NBF Retail Champion status across stores and the website, with clear POS support for NBF member brands and regular engagement in NBF consumer campaigns.
The M6 Bed Warehouse, Radway Green
A big year for M6 with the opening a second store, doubling their sales team and increasing YOY turnover and website traffic. In-depth training for new starters incorporating the NBF Intro to Beds course. Strong social media support and engagement with NBF consumer awareness campaigns.
Large NBF Retail Champion of the Year
Winner
The Bed Post
The southeastern retailer reported healthy sales and profit uplifts across all its stores, with standout website performance and excellent customer satisfaction. They provide strong support for NBF brands and investment in staff training, POS and innovative marketing strategies. The judges commended its social responsibility through fair bed disposal and support for local causes.
Finalist
Sussex Beds
Despite its challenges, Sussex Beds’ monumental upgrade in IT systems has laid the foundations for scalable growth over the next decade and beyond. The upgrade has revolutionised their customer service and feedback system, while providing real-time, live data on business performance.
Judges for National Bed Retailer, Online Retailer, and the Small and Large NBF Retail Champion awards were judged by Jarrod Bird (Interiors Monthly), Bernard Eaton (Greenwood Retail) and Dan Squires (Big Furniture Group).
Further details on all the winners and finalists will be published in the trade press in November.
