Recently, NMG’s Director of Furniture, Bedding & Outdoor, Jeff Rose, sat down with Tim Riezinger from Sherwood Bedding to talk about the new Encore Effortless mattress, exclusively for Members of Nationwide Marketing Group.

LISTEN to the full conversation here. 

As an extension of that conversation, we went deeper with the Sherwood team to get more details on the Effortless mattress, plus an outlook on consumer insights and the mattress industry as a whole.

J.D. Barksdale, Sr. Key Account Manager for Sherwood Bedding, gave us the scoop.

Encore Effortless: R&D, Materials, and Features 

NMG: What makes this new Encore by Sherwood bed different from anything else on the market? 

J.D. Barksdale (JDB): It truly is a best-in-class, stand-alone product in the marketplace when it comes down to technology, comfort, profile, and price-point. You simply do not see vendors offer exclusive products at this price point with the benefits and features that the Effortless has.

NMG: Can you walk us through some of the innovative features of this bed?

JDB: The Extreme Cooling Cover wicks away moisture and stretches to maximize motion separation, alleviating unwanted disruptions. The Gel-Infused Comfort Layer positioned just below the surface enhances pressure relief using Isotonic + Memory Foam, which is the latest advancement in memory foam technology. Lastly, the 5-Zoned Encased Innersprings provide stability for each section of your body, from head to toe. This also reduces motion transfer for a more restful sleep.

NMG: How does this bed cater to specific sleep needs?  

JDB: An extreme cooling cover is used to help hot sleepers find better temperature through the night, while the 5-zoned encased coil system provides deep support for back and side sleepers. The all-new Isotonic + Memory Foam is the first comfort layer providing a nice contouring feeling to the body while also providing support.

NMG: What kind of research and development went into designing this mattress?

JDB: In partnership with NMG executive leadership, we wanted to design an exclusive product with a process that combines cutting-edge technology with traditional craftsmanship to create a mattress that enhances sleep quality and overall well-being. In doing so, we went back to the drawing board with years of experience with very successful mattress technologies and combined them into one very attractive and aggressively priced mattress — which does not exist in the marketplace today.

As a Tempur Sealy company, Sherwood Bedding is able to leverage Tempur Sealy’s state-of-the-art Research & Development center to conduct extensive testing and product innovation. This collaboration ensures every Effortless Bed product meets the highest standards for quality, performance, and cutting-edge design.

The Story Behind the Effortless Mattress 

NMG: Is there a story behind the creation and naming of this bed that you’d love people to know? 

JDB: The true story behind the creation of this mattress started during a partnership meeting in California, with the NMG senior executive team and our team wanting to build a mattress that was just too good to say no to — not only for the retailer but for the consumer as well. We partnered to bring the NMG members an incredible, exclusive mattress featuring the latest technologies at an unbelievable price, making this mattress “Effortless” to sell in the retail marketplace.

NMG: What excites you most about launching this bed? 

JDB: The exclusivity of the product in the marketplace and watching the success the NMG members are having with it!

NMG: If you could describe this bed in three words, what would they be? 

JDB: Best in class.

Innovation and Trends in the Mattress Industry 

NMG: How do you see sleep technology evolving in the next few years?  

JDB: The future of sleep technology is poised for exciting advancements, driven by innovation in smart devices, personalized health data, and AI-driven insights. In the next few years, we can expect sleep tech to become even more integrated into daily life, with improvements in wearable sleep trackers, non-invasive monitoring solutions, and AI-powered sleep coaching. Smart mattresses and pillows may evolve to adjust in real time based on biometric data, optimizing comfort and support. Additionally, advancements in sleep neurotechnology could play a role in helping individuals achieve deeper, more restorative sleep through light, sound, and sensory stimulation.

NMG: Are there plans to continue to evolve the Encore line exclusively for NMG? 

JDB: Regarding the Encore Line’s evolution, it will certainly depend on customer demand, strong partnership meetings, and further available innovations that make sense for product development.

Customer and Market Insights for Effortless 

NMG: What kind of sleeper do you think this bed is perfect for? 

JDB: This bed is perfect for the sleeper who wants the best-in-class quality sleep at a more affordable price point. It suits back and side sleepers best with its 5-zone support system, but the beauty of it is- it’s truly versatile – whether a sleeper is concerned about back support, cooling technology or extreme comfort, the Effortless is right for them.

NMG: What has been the response from retailers who have ordered the mattress so far? 

JDB: Since launching the Effortless Bed in mid-March, we’ve secured placement at 121 retailers. We’re on track toward our goal of surpassing 150 retailers by year end.

Retailers have been more than successful with this mattress on the floor. It is a game changer for the profile and price point at which it retails. Many have commented that it leaves no room for a sleep seeking customer to walk out of their doors without purchasing a sleep set due to the price, comfort, and technology of the Effortless features.

LEARN MORE about the Encore Effortless mattress here. *Requires login to MemberNet.