In recent years, Canadians have been becoming increasingly aware of the importance of good sleep and the role a proper mattress plays in sleeping well. As a result, many are prepared to invest more in the right mattress which has led to a growing mattress industry in Canada.

In this article, we look at the mattress industry statistics, including its market size, retail sales, and what has led to the industry’s growth in Canada. We also explore the consumer trends that impact the mattress industry in Canada.

Mattress Industry Statistics for Canadians

  • The mattress and accessories industry’s revenue was expected to be 2 billion CAD in 2021.
  • In August 2018, the sales of mattresses and foundations exceeded 115 million CAD.
  • In 2022, Quebec had 44 and Ontario 42 mattress manufacturing companies.
  • Companies that recycle mattresses can recycle over 95% of the materials.
  • The average salary in mattress retail is 54,000 CAD and in mattress manufacturing 52,000 CAD per year.
  • 83% of consumers say comfort and support are key factors when choosing a new mattress and only 17% think the brand is important.
  • Millennials are more likely to replace their mattresses sooner than baby boomers.
  • 70% of baby boomers still prefer brick-and-mortar shops when shopping for mattresses.

Canadian Mattress Industry

According to Statista, the Canadian mattress industry is worth approximately 1.241 billion CAD. Between 2023 and 2027, the market is expected to continue growing by 5.75% per year. In comparison, the United States mattress industry is worth 18.764 billion CAD.

The revenue from the mattress and accessories industry was expected to reach 2 billion CAD in 2021 and to grow at a rate of 2.5% between 2021 and 2025. This would equate to 52.89 CAD in per-person revenue.

August 2018 Holds the Record for the Highest Mattress and Foundation Sales

According to data compiled by Statista, the record month for Canadian mattress and foundation sales was August 2018 when the sales from large retail stores reached 115.43 million CAD. August was also the peak month for mattress sales in 2017, 2015, and 2014, while sales often fell considerably in February.

The data also shows that mattress and foundation sales by large retail stores have been consistently higher between 207 and 2019 compared to the period from 2014 to 2016. There is no similar monthly sales data currently available from 2019 onwards. However, the manufacturer sales data from Statista shows that manufacturer sales were around 65.75 million CAD in July 2022.

Much of the mattress sales revenue in Canada is generated in the most populated provinces, including Ontario and Quebec. The Central Canada region represents 65% of Canadian mattress sales, it is followed by the Prairie region, and then the West Coast, Atlantic, and finally the Northern Territories.

Mattress Manufacturing in Canada

Considering that mattress sales are heavily focused in the most populated areas, it is not surprising that mattress manufacturing in Canada is also focused in the same regions. In 2022, there were 44 mattress manufacturing companies in Quebec and 42 in Ontario.

Alberta had eight, British Columbia seven, and Manitoba and Saskatchewan had three. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador had one each. There were no manufacturing companies listed in the other regions.

Recycling Mattresses in Canada

In recent years, the mattress industry has spawned another line of businesses focusing on recycling mattresses. These companies, which aim to reduce the number of mattresses that end up in landfills, are capable of recycling between 95% and 100% of beds and mattress materials.

Not only is recycling better for the environment, it is also generating revenue and jobs. For example, according to Canadian Mattress Recycling, since dumping mattresses and box springs in landfills was banned in Vancouver in 2011, they have recycled beds and mattresses amounting to more than 42.3 million pounds in weight. In 2011 alone, they saved over one million cubic feet of space in landfills and created 45 jobs.

Mattresses take up 400% more space than normal household garbage and they take between 80 and 120 years to decompose fully. In addition, some elements of mattresses, such as fabrics and foam can contain chemicals, which are released into the soil and water systems as the mattresses decompose.

However, mattress recycling options are not yet available in all parts of the country. Most of the mattress recycling companies in Canada are in bigger urban areas.

What Drives the Growth of the Canadian Mattress Industry?

Several factors have and will continue to contribute to the growth of the Canadian mattress industry. While competition from non-Canadian mattress manufacturers may slow down the growth rate, there are still many factors that should ensure the Canadian mattress industry will continue to experience steady growth.

  • Online sales – the share of Canadians buying their mattresses online is increasing. While many still prefer to buy theirs from a brick-and-mortar store so they can test the mattress first, more Canadians are opting for online retailers who often offer generous trial periods with full refunds.
  • Mattress-in-a-box – thanks to new technologies, mattresses can now be compressed and sold in smaller packages, which makes them easier and cheaper to transport and store. These mattresses, often sold online, are often cheaper to the consumer, too because of the reduced expenses to the retailers.
  • Smart Technologies – They may not be in most homes yet but smart mattresses will likely grow in popularity in the forthcoming years. Mattresses with smart technology come with a range of features such as cooling mattresses, firmness adjustment, sleep tracking, and anti-snoring.
  • Increased immigration – the number of people moving to Canada has been on the rise each year and all the newcomers will need household items, including mattresses.
  • Growing hospitality and tourism industry – Canada is a popular tourist destination and despite not yet reaching the pre-pandemic levels, the tourism industry is recovering. More tourists will lead to more demand for hotels and other guest accommodations, which will lead to increased mattress sales.
  • Better awareness of sleep’s impact on overall health – the more people realise the importance of good sleep on their health, the more they are willing to invest in their mattresses to ensure a good night’s sleep.

Working in the Mattress Industry in Canada

There are various roles within the mattress industry in Canada, ranging from jobs at mattress manufacturing companies and retail stores to delivering mattresses. What you can earn working in the mattress industry depends on factors such as where you live, your years of experience, and your job title.

According to the website Glassdoor, delivery drivers can earn around 13-14 CAD per hour, while according to Payscale, a mattress store employee’s average salary is 54,000 CAD per year, and for a person working in mattress manufacturing it is 52,000 CAD per year. However, there will be many positions where the salaries will be much lower or higher than the averages for the industry.

Mattress Industry Trends

Aside from the increased popularity of online mattress shopping, there are additional trends that are changing the mattress market. Knowing the current trends and the shopping preferences of different age groups can help mattress manufacturers and retailers to improve their sales.

Important Features in Mattresses

When looking for a new mattress, 83% of consumers place comfort and support at the top of their list. 57% say the thickness and size of the mattress is also an essential factor and 56% also focus on materials and how the mattress was constructed. The brand of the mattress is a key factor to only 17% of mattress shoppers.

Comfort and Support Features

Since comfort and support the mattress offers are key features to over four-fifths of consumers, what specific supportive features are they focused on? 43% of consumers want a mattress that properly supports their back such as these mattresses for people with back pain, while 20% want a mattress that contours to their body shape and 14% want their mattress to isolate motion. Memory foam and latex mattresses are popular for contouring.

33% are looking for firm mattresses and only 20% will opt for a soft mattress, meaning the majority of consumers are looking for a medium mattress.

Age Group Preferences When Choosing a New Mattress

Different age groups have different buying habits when it comes to choosing a mattress. Consumers who are millennials or younger are most likely to look for a new mattress when their mattress leaves them with a sore back, they have a sagging mattress, they wish to upgrade to a more luxurious mattress, or when their mattress has simply got too old.

Millennials will start their mattress search online and prioritise search results by size followed by price, mattress type, and only then mattress qualities. Younger consumers are more likely to get a soft mattress with 46% of millennials preferring a soft mattress to medium or firm. They are more likely than baby boomers, 33% compared to 21% to buy a larger mattress, such as queen or king size, and around 40% will prefer a mattress-in-a-box that is delivered to them.

Baby boomers are likely to wait twice as long as millennials before purchasing a new mattress. While people aged 18 to 35 replace their mattresses after 5.7 years on average, baby boomers tend to wait 12.3 years before getting a new mattress.

70% of baby boomers will get their mattress from a brick-and-mortar store and they focus on the price, size, and type of the mattress. Getting a free delivery can also impact the buying decisions of baby boomers. Baby boomers are more likely to buy firm or medium mattresses with only 7% preferring a soft mattress.

Members of Generation X also prefer actual stores to online shopping when it comes to choosing a new mattress. 22% of this age group will choose a soft mattress, while 74% will not get a foam mattress because of their age and 58% will choose either an innerspring or a pillow-top mattress.

As smart mattress options become more available, millennials are the most likely to invest in them. Currently, 49% of millennials track the quality of their sleep, compared to 26% of Generation X or just 12% of baby boomers.

Conclusion

The mattress industry in Canada is growing steadily driven by increased awareness of the importance of sleep, new technologies, increased immigration, and online sales. The majority of mattress sales and manufacturing companies in Canada are located in provinces with large populations such as Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.

Mattress buying preferences are changing with new mattress technologies and online options. Retailers and manufacturers should also be aware of the different preferences among the different consumer age groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Canadian mattress industry is worth over one billion CAD and the market is expected to continue growing by 5.75% between 2023 and 2027. While there are several factors behind the mattress industry’s growth, it could be slowed down by competition from mattress manufacturers from other countries.

It is possible, and advisable since it is much better for the environment, to recycle your mattress. However, how easy it is to recycle a mattress depends on where you live. While urban areas such as Toronto and Vancouver will have companies that specialise in recycling mattresses, it may be harder to find a company to take your mattress in more rural areas.

Salaries for people working in the mattress manufacturing sector vary depending on the area you are living in, your previous experience, and the type of work you are looking for. At the time of writing, the average pay in mattress manufacturing was 52,000 CAD according to the website Payscale. However, this covers all salaries within the industry and some roles will earn a much lower salary, while others will be a lot higher in senior and managerial positions.