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HARTFORD, Conn. – The “boomerang effect,” which sent college students back home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, has sparked a sales surge for futons. That’s the word from a leading futon maker, independent mattress maker Gold Bond.
Gold Bond Mattress says that futons, those multi-functional products serving as sofas and mattresses, are helping families adapt to the changing world of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s futon sales are up 25% since early April.
“The Boomerang Generation is taking on an entirely new meaning during this pandemic, as young adults are returning to the family nest in record numbers,” said Robert Naboicheck, president of Gold Bond. “School closures and the economic shutdown have forced families to re-evaluate living spaces and to invest in products that provide space-saving solutions.
“Bedrooms that have been converted into home offices or studios now need to do double-duty as functional sleep areas. Futons offer that solution, and our retail partners, through brick-and-mortar and online stores, are reaping the rewards in increased sales.”
Colleges across the U.S. shortened spring semesters, shifted to online learning and sent students home to prevent the spread of the virus through dormitories. This “boomerang effect,” which sees adult children returning to their parents’ homes, has climbed exponentially during the pandemic, with government data estimating 2.9 million adults moved back home during the first half of this year. The shift has created the need for shared physical space and products that serve a dual-purpose, Naboicheck said.
Gold Bond’s line of futon frames is available in seven different models – four crafted in solid oak and three in hardwoods – with upholstered covers in 14 materials including leather, tweed and easy-to-clean microfiber. Complete futons, both mattress and frame, are priced to retail from $799 to $1,499. The futon mattresses alone, which Naboicheck said have been selling well, too, retail from $199 to $399.
Naboicheck said consumers have shown particular interest in the company’s five organic futon mattresses featuring GOTS-certified organic cotton upholstery fabric, GOTS-certified organic wool and natural 100% latex.
“As fears of coronavirus continue to swell, consumers are looking for cleaner, more natural materials for their homes,” he said. “Our American-made organic futon mattress offering helps meet that demand, as well as the need for multi-functional home furnishings.”
Gold Bond’s futons are sold through a variety of retail outlets, including independent retailers, Pottery Barn and L.L. Bean.
