After years of speculation and several attempts to do so, Tempur Sealy International (TSI) announced in early May that they reached an agreement to acquire Mattress Firm, the largest bedding retailer in the country with over 2,300 locations. The cash and stock deal, valued at around $4 billion, still faces a Federal Trade Commission review but is expected to close sometime around the back half of 2024.

Naturally, the news sent shockwaves across the furniture, bedding and retail communities, leaving many Independent retailers with questions about how the acquisition would impact their business and the channel’s relationship with TSI.

To begin addressing some of the most pressing questions Nationwide received from Members, the group invited TSI’s President of U.S. Sales Steve Rusing to Winston-Salem for an on-camera sit down with our CEO Tom Hickman.

“We have a vested interest in NMG and we have a vested interest in the Independent channel,” Rusing said during the interview, pointing out that Nationwide Members, collectively, have become TSI’s second largest customer. “It’s been good business for us, it’s healthy, and we remain committed to it prior to this acquisition and after the acquisition. … It’s too big of a business for us not to be. There’s no change in our commitment [to the Independent channel] and, in fact, I would tell you that we’re probably going to have to work harder.”

Nationwide Members are invited to give the full conversation a watch on our MemberNet platform. Our TSI content includes a two-part interview with Rusing and Hickman, as well as a follow-up conversation that gave Members a chance to ask additional questions. Head to the Tempur or Sealy brand pages on MemberNet [login required] Member-exclusive content.