The Co-op Group has launched on online beds shop in an attempt to take a share of a market worth £1.6bn – and which is growing at 3% a year.
The retailer first sold beds in 1904, and it has re-entered the market by forming a strategic partnership with British bed brand Silentnight. Its website, beds.coop.co.uk offers beds, headboards and mattresses with free delivery, a 14-day cancellation policy and a five-year guarantee.
The bed market is expected to continue to grow due to an increase in the number and size of beds sold. During the past five years there has been a trend towards double beds and, particularly, king-sized beds.
The ageing population is also driving demand for quality mattresses that provide better posture support. Around 56% of people opt to purchase their bed in store while 40% do this online and 4% are buying them by phone.
The move forms part of the Co-op’s strategy to increase its digital capacity across its businesses in the food, funeral care, legal services and insurance sectors. The Co-op also runs an e-store venture selling electrical items. In addition, the mutual announced a digital will writing service and is trialling the UK’s first ever can insurance – Chabot.
Co-op Beds managing director James Holland, said: “The UK beds market is set to take off as the population grows and consumers continue to upsize.
“We believe Co-op Beds offers compelling deals, including at the moment an attractive trade-in deal and all our 4.6 million members qualify for a 5% discount.”
