In the last few years, there has been a discernible shift in consumer behavior, with comfort and utility taking precedence. People have gradually become more aware when they look for everyday essentials, including mattresses. From a business standpoint, the mattress industry in India is growing gradually. The organized Indian mattress industry has grown at a 17 percent CAGR in the last five years. It is driven by ongoing technology innovations that enhance the features and benefits of mattresses. From coir to PU foam to spring, mattresses have undergone a massive evolution. 

While mattresses have come a long way in the past few years, most of the products offered by different players are quite similar. Keeping up with the changing times, it is more important than ever for mattress companies to employ new-age innovations that meet the unique needs of consumers. Indeed, technology and innovation are the key differentiators that will drive further industry growth. 

Technology Driving Innovation in the Mattress Industry 

Mattresses are no longer considered to be ordinary consumer goods; they are now part of health and overall well-being. For more than a decade, the mattress industry has constantly been growing and adapting to changing consumer habits and sleep pattern needs. There has been ongoing innovation from PU foam to memory foam, and now the recent gel-based foam mattresses.  

Furthermore, the pandemic has paved the path for additional technical developments, compelling to build more futuristic products. One can observe the mattresses adapting to the type of sleeper the end-user is. Numerous developments, such as compressing, roll-pack, pocket spring beds, latex-alternative foam, individually pocketed spring technology, etc., have also been introduced in the last few years. This evolution in mattresses is especially driven by the pandemic-induced shift in consumer desire for products that improve health standards. 

Also, in the post-Covid world, consumer expectations have increased multi-fold as they seek a comfortable and hygienic mattress that is also easy to maintain. Therefore, there is a greater shift towards brands that constantly offer innovative solutions for better comfort and quality assurance. 

Custom-Built Mattresses As Per Consumer Preference 

Customizable mattresses have emerged as a trend where buyers have personalized options in terms of height, design, as well as firmness, among others. Consumers also have the option to re-arrange or inter-change foam layers as per their comfort level. Along with comfort, health has also emerged as a significant aspect for consumers. The latest mattresses are designed to treat sleep disorders back and neck-related issues and, they also improve sleep quality. This is exactly what innovations in the mattress industry are aiming for. 

It utilizes technology that enables the customer to sleep undisturbed while also providing flexibility and support. Simultaneously, gel foam mattresses have a cooler effect, and traditional memory foam mattresses trap heat and thereby give a cozy and warm feeling. As a result, customers have a range of options to choose from. It also gives companies that offer these innovative products an edge over those who still stick to the old traditional mattresses. 

Advancements to Suit Demographic Requirements

Innovation in mattresses is not just limited to health benefits. It is also very demographic-driven. People living in cold regions look for materials that keep the bed cozy, while those in humid areas seek surface-cooling mattresses like gel-foam ones. Similarly, customers in tropical climatic regions prefer coir-based mattresses.

Consumers are gradually becoming more environmentally conscious. Some of them are moving towards sustainable mattress options that are made from natural yarns like – coir, bamboo, cotton, natural latex, and other plant-based materials. 

Besides this, fire retardant material and chemicals are used in some mattress specifications for enhanced safety purposes. It is majorly used in the hospitality industry, as well as in areas that are more prone to fire hazards. More such high-end mattresses that cater to different consumer segments are coming into the picture. In tandem with these ongoing innovations, packaging and delivery mechanisms in the industry are also undergoing transformation. 

Innovative Bed-in-Box Packaging 

Traditionally, mattresses were viewed as bulky pieces of bedroom furniture. This is not the case anymore. Innovative packages have made modern mattresses easy to handle, transport and store. Thanks to vacuum technology, mattresses are now compressed and packed in medium-sized boxes. In the coming years, we will see this vacuum-enabled compression technology evolve multi-fold. 

Furthermore, more people have shifted to online purchases for almost everything, including mattresses. Compact and rolled mattresses ensure that they can be easily delivered in regular package sizes. This drastically reduces the cost of shipping and handling, allowing for far more affordable mattress prices. The innovative bed-in-a-box concept will continue to gain more popularity. 

Way Ahead  

As a significant consumer market segment, the mattress industry has a huge potential for innovation. Technology, in particular, can be used to offer best-in-class solutions for sleep and health issues. While the technology gets easily replicated by the competition, the brand which innovates continuously and launches new products regularly will have the edge over the competition.