Online reviews have replaced going to a store to lie down on a mattress. That’s why Mattress Firm, America’s largest bed store, has filed for bankruptcy.
The chain said it plans to remain in business, but it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to get out of about 700 unfavorable leases. The company said it will quickly close 200 underperforming stores and make decisions about whether to close or maintain the other 500 stores in the coming weeks. It currently has more than 3,300 stores in the United States.
According to court filings, none of the stores in Arkansas are among the first 200 that will close. Currently, there are two locations each in Rogers and Fort Smith and a clearance center in Fayetteville.
The location on West Reno Avenue in Oklahoma City is the only one from that state on the list of the first 200 closures. The five locations in the Tulsa metro area are not on that list.
Mattress Firm plans to exit bankruptcy in about two months. It hopes that the liquidity gained from the bankruptcy allows it to expand into more favorable markets and even open some new stores in existing markets.
“We will continue to provide unmatched value to our customers by offering the best quality beds at prices that fit any budget today, tomorrow and into the future,” said CEO Steve Stagner.
Like many retailers, the 32-year-old chain has struggled with overexpansion, including its purchase of Sleepy’s in 2016 and Mattress Giant in 2012. The company has many stores in close proximity to one another, cannibalizing sales. It’s also grappling with increasing competition from online retailers, including Casper and Amazon.
Its parent company, Steinhoff International, is dealing with major problems including accounting irregularities, forcing its CEO to resign in December 2017.
