Sleepy's: Difference between revisions
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Sleepy's agreed to pay $750,000 in costs and restitution to reach settlement. In addition to the payment the company agreed to clearer advertising, issuing refunds more willingly and improving customer service.<ref>[http://www.nj.gov/oag/ca/press/sleepys2.htm Sleepy’s Enters Into Agreement with NJ to Resolve Suit Will pay $750,000 in costs and restitution], New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, retrieved May 20, 2009. </ref> |
Sleepy's agreed to pay $750,000 in costs and restitution to reach settlement. In addition to the payment the company agreed to clearer advertising, issuing refunds more willingly and improving customer service.<ref>[http://www.nj.gov/oag/ca/press/sleepys2.htm Sleepy’s Enters Into Agreement with NJ to Resolve Suit Will pay $750,000 in costs and restitution], New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, retrieved May 20, 2009. </ref> |
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In 2009 Sleepy's was accused by the Connecticut attorney general of selling used and bedbug-infested mattresses as new. [[The Hartford Courant]] was going to run an article about the investigation, but spiked the article after pressure from Sleepy's, which often advertised in the newspaper.<ref>[http://consumerist.com/5338201/hartford-courant-consumer-columnist-fired-for-pissing-off-advertiser Hartford Courant Consumer Columnist Fired For Pissing Off Advertiser], Consumerist blog, retrieved August 17, 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/business/media/18courant.html Hartford Courant lays off consumer columnist], The New York Times, retrieved August 24, 2009</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 10:39, 16 November 2009
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (May 2009) |
 | This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (November 2009) |
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1931 |
| Headquarters |  Bethpage, New York |
Key people |
Harry Acker |
| Products | Mattresses, Bedding |
Number of employees | 2,900 (2009) |
| Website | www.sleepys.com |
Sleepy’s LLC is an American retailing company founded in 1931 in Brooklyn, New York. The business was first incorporated in 1957. The name of the business was changed to Sleepy’s in 1975 and the chain is now the largest specialty mattress retailer[1] and largest bedding retailer[2] in the United States. In 2007 Sleepy’s was named one of Best Companies to Work for in New York by The New York State Society for Human Resource Management and Best Companies Group.[3] In 2008, Sleepy’s, in conjunction with RKL Productions, was awarded six Telly advertising awards for the ‘Inner Child’, ‘Newlywed’, ‘Tango’, and ‘Love Your Mattress’ television commercials.[4] ‘Tango’ was also awarded the highest Communicator advertising award, the Award of Excellence.[5]
Today Sleepy’s has over 700 stores and 5 distribution centers in 11 states and employs over 2,900 employees.[1] Recently, Sleepy's was labeled as the fastest growing furniture retailer in the US. [6] In the summer of 2009, the company will be moving to it’s headquarters and NY distribution facility to a newly constructed 500,000 square foot building in Hicksville, NY.
History
- 1931 - Louis Acker opens his first mattress store and employs his son, Harry Acker.
- 1955 - Louis Acker dies of heart attack.
- 1957 - Harry Acker opens his first store, Bedding Discount Centers.
- 1975 - Business name changed to Sleepy's
- 1976 - First use of logo with man in nightshirt and cap, Sleepysman.
- 1977 - Sleepy's opens its eighth store and moves to a 20,000 square foot space in New Hyde Park.[7]
- 1978 - First televised Sleepy's commercial starring president Harry Acker airs.
- 1983 - Sleepy's trademarks itself as Sleepy's, The Mattress Professionals.
- 1986 - Harry moves headquarters and distribution center to a 60,000 square foot building in Port Washington, NY.
- 1993 - Sleepy's acquires Kleinsleep.
- 1994 - 75th store opened. Headquarters and distribution center moved to current home in Bethpage, NY in a 150,000 square foot corporate office.
- 1995 - Bethpage, NY headquarters expanded 80,000 square feet.
- 1996 - Sleepy's acquires Mattress Discounters in New York and New Jersey.
- 1998 - Established 1-800-SLEEPYS, a toll-free service where people can consult with a Mattress Professional.
- 1998 - Second distribution center opens in Carteret, NJ.
- 1999 - Website launches: www.sleepys.com and 169th store opens.
- 1999 - Sleepy's jingle is written and produced by Rich Lehman of RKL Productions and Jerry Plotkin of Headroom Digital Audio.
- 2001 - David Acker named president.
- 2002 - Built a new 211,000 square foot warehouse in Robbinsville, NJ.
- 2003 - Sleepy's acquires Mattress Firm sleep chain locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
- 2007 - Sleepy's acquires Rockaway Bedding chain and adds 200 stores to the franchise.[8]
- 2009 - Sleepy's launches an ecommerce website.[9]
- 2009 - Sleepy's acquires the assets of 1800mattress.com.
Business operations
The mattress professionals
Sleepy's salespersons are known as “mattress professionals.” Mattress professionals attend Sleepy's University for four weeks upon initial employment. Two of those weeks are spent in a classroom style setting and the other two weeks are spent with mentors in the field. They earn training pay for those four weeks of Sleepy’s University. Upon completion of training and placement in store they earn a draw against earned commissions and bonuses.[10][citation needed]
Operating states
Brands carried
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Exclusive brands
Miralux mattresses, made by International Bedding Corporation, are a low cost luxury brand exclusive to Sleepy's in the 11 states Sleepy's stores are located.
There are also higher end exclusives. Sleepy’s has exclusive Sealy and Simmons lines which have upgraded features such as upgraded ticking, upgraded comfort layers, and higher coil counts. The Vera Wang by Serta Sweet Slumber Collection featuring Talalay latex is also exclusive.[11] Sleepy's is also the only retailer in the nation to carry the Serta Perfect Morning and Serta Perfect Evening series.
The Sleep To Live product line is exclusive to Sleepy's in its trading area. Sleep To Live has developed a computer based diagnostic test bed, which recommends the proper sleep system for each customer.
Sleepy's is the exclusive retailer of Spaldin sleep systems. These mattresses are certified as Oeko-tex standard Class I OEKO-TEX 100 and are the greenest and safest mattresss in the United States. The products are made of biodegradable green materials, cultivated without pesticides and processed without harmful chemicals. This is the only mattress with Class I OEKO-TEX 100 certification in the United States.
Charity and sponsorship
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Sleepy's has donated to and sponsored events for a number of charitable organizations:
- On September 12, 2001, Sleepy’s donated three truckloads of cots and pillows to the rescue workers at Ground Zero.
- Since 2007 Sleepy’s has been actively involved with the American Cancer Society with it’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.[12]
- Published a Marvel comic with Incredible Hulk in association with the American Cancer Society.[13]
- They were a location for Toys for Tots drop off and cash donations for 2008 Holiday season.[14]
- United Way
- Hope for Youth
- Long Island Blood Services
- MossRehab’s Road to Recovery
- East Coast Fertility
- Shriners Hospital for Children
- They sponsored a food drive for Feeding America in association with Island Harvest, Mercer Friends, Food Share and Maryland Food Bank.
- They sponsored a coat drive with a number of partners: NY Cares, NJ Cares, Button Up CT, United Way and Burlington Coat Factory's Warm Coats & Warm Hearts.
Environmental impact
Sleepy's is the only retailer in the United States that carries the Spaldin line of bedding.[citation needed] This line carries a Oeko-tex standard Class I OEKO-TEX 100 rating which is a worldwide rating of green. These mattresses are safe for babies and safe even if ingested.[15]
Criticism and controversy
In 2004 Sleepy's resolved a lawsuit filed by the New Jersey division of consumer affairs. The lawsuit alleged that Sleepy's misled consumers regarding their exchange policy, customer refunds, and advertisements. There were also questions about delivery of faulty merchandise and failure of delivery.
Sleepy's agreed to pay $750,000 in costs and restitution to reach settlement. In addition to the payment the company agreed to clearer advertising, issuing refunds more willingly and improving customer service.[16]
References
- ^ a b The Sleepy's Story, Sleepy's LLC, retrieved May 20, 2009
- ^ 2009 Survey of the Top 100 US Furniture Stores, Furniture Today, retrieved June 3, 2009 [1]
- ^ Best Companies to Work for 2007, New York State Society for Human Resource Management and Best Companies Group, retrieved May 20, 2009. [2]
- ^ 2008 Commercial Silver Winners, Telly Awards, retrieved May 20, 2009
- ^ The 15th Annual Award Winners of 2008, Communicator, retrieved May 20, 2009. [3]
- ^ Engel, C. (2009, June 8) Sleepy's leads top 100 in growth. Furniture Today, 33(39), 11-14.
- ^ Company History - Sleepy's Inc., Funding Universe, retrieved May 21, 2009. [4]
- ^ New York-based Sleepy's will re-open 134 Rockaway stores it acquired. Home Furnishings Business, retrieved July 13, 2007. [5]
- ^ Sleepys.com Launches Commerce-Enabled Website This Summer. Business Wire, retrieved July 10, 2009. [6]
- ^ Employment Opportunities at Sleepy's. Sleepys LLC, retrieved June 9, 2009. [7]
- ^ Sleepy's to Offer Exclusive Vera Wang by Serta Sweet Slumber Collection, Stephanie Wardach, retrieved May 20, 2009. [8]
- ^ Sleepy’s to sponsor making strides against breast cancer in 2008, Stephanie Wardach, May 20, 2009. [9]
- ^ Sleepy's & Marvel Entertainment's “The Incredible Hulk” Battle for a Cure, Sleepy's LLC, retrieved May 20, 2009. [10]
- ^ Sleepy’s Expands Partnership with Toys for Tots for 2008, Sleepy's LLC, retrieved May 20, 2009. [11]
- ^ Certified Natural Properties, Spaldin Sleep Systems, retrieved May 20, 2009. [12]
- ^ Sleepy’s Enters Into Agreement with NJ to Resolve Suit Will pay $750,000 in costs and restitution, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, retrieved May 20, 2009.