Bensons for Beds posts sales boost as Eve Sleep beds in

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Bensons for Beds has reported a sales boost for the last quarter of 2022, driven by strong growth online.

Bensons For Beds store exterior

Store sales growth was supported by higher transaction values, which compensated for weaker footfall

Bensons’ like-for-like sales in the quarter to December 31, 2022, rose 7% compared to the same period last year.

The bed and mattress retailer said the robust sales followed investments it had made in improving its digital platforms and stores, and the shake-up in its leadership team last year.

Online sales grew 41% across the quarter and digital transactions have doubled since before the pandemic, bolstered by improvements in “digital infrastructure and talent over the last year”.

The retailer invested in a new customer data programme to improve conversion and customer acquisition, and made developments in the platform performance for a better customer experience.

It also made changes to its senior leadership team during the summer, including the appointment of Nick Collard as chief executive.

Online sales were also bolstered by the acquisition and relaunch of Eve Sleep, which it said delivered an “encouraging early performance”.

The retailer, chaired since 2021 by Ian Shepherd, relaunched evesleep.co.uk a fortnight after acquiring it in October and streamlined its product range to six bestsellers, which it said allowed it to capitalise on the peak Sales season.

Growth of store sales was supported by higher transaction values, which compensated for weaker footfall during the period.

The retailer’s store estate now stands at 168, following the opening and relocation of 18 stores across 2022, and it intends to grow to 180-190 locations within the next two years.

Collard said: “Our performance over the quarter provides a good indication that our investments across the business are beginning to bear fruit.

“We have made big steps towards our goal of becoming a market leading omnichannel retailer reflected in the rise in sales at an important time of the year. Although we expect the market to remain challenging, we remain well placed to navigate the year ahead. I’d like to thank the dedication and hard work of all our colleagues as we continue to transform the business as we invest online, in stores and in our ranges.”