Join the trend towards healthier bedding options! Consumers are increasingly seeking organic products and mattresses, moving away from traditional materials. Learn how to successfully expand your product line to include organic mattress offerings and boost sales in this growing market.
When introducing healthier products, certified organic mattresses and bedding are the standard. Consumers will catch on to undocumented claims about organic or healthy or natural or sustainable or ecofriendly, etc. The only way to establish your reputation is to carry certified organic products.
Then, there is the age-old problem of staff that needs to learn more about what they’re selling. This problem is much bigger when it comes to organic products. It’s critical to team up with a manufacturer that has the certifications and provides the training for store staff. Naturepedic, for example, is one such well-known company.
Staff must be trained regarding certifications. The main one for organic mattresses and bedding is the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). The other respected organic standard is the Organic Content Standard (OCS). Both of these standards promote fabrics and fibers from USDA-certified organic programs.
For latex to be used in certified organic products, the latex must be certified to either the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) or the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). With either of these standards, the latex is made from rubber tree sap.
Other commonly used organic materials include organic wool. These materials are combined into beautiful and highly comfortable products.
In a certified organic mattress, the GOTS program also allows the use of non-organic “accessory” materials (a) if they meet the GOTS chemical requirements for such materials and (b) the GOTS certifier specifically approves them for the intended use.
There are other certifications that are not “organic” per se, but which do demonstrate products and materials as meeting the high GOTS standards for accessories, and for just meeting high standards. These include EWG Verified (Environmental Working Group). Naturepedic is currently the only mattress manufacturer certified to meet this standard.
Another certification with high standards is MADE SAFE. This standard examines the chemicals used in the materials and prohibits toxic and questionable chemicals. Another respected standard is GREENGUARD (Gold). These standard measures the chemical off-gassing from a product and sets limits. Note that for Naturepedic mattresses, you can take the off-gassing and multiply it by twenty times, and we still meet the GREENGUARD Gold standard. There are other organic certifications and requirements, but the above lays the groundwork.
Expanding into the organic mattress and bedding market presents a promising opportunity for retailers to meet the evolving demands of health-conscious consumers. By offering certified organic products, such as those from Naturepedic, retailers can build trust and drive sales. Proper training for staff on certifications like GOTS, OCS, GOLS, FSC, and additional high standards like EWG Verified and MADE SAFE, ensures knowledgeable service and reinforces credibility. Embracing these standards not only enhances product appeal but also demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and customer well-being, positioning your store as a leader in the organic retail landscape.
