The CEO of the lone franchisee of 1800mattress.com said this week he plans to submit a bid for the bankrupt retailer and retain its successful telephone and Internet sales platform.
Bob Klein, who heads franchisees Consolidated Mattress and Amalgamated Mattress, wouldn’t discuss the financial aspects of his bid, but said he would focus on 1800mattress.com’s core business and would close its brick-and-mortar stores.
“We think that was a terrific business model,” he said of the retailer’s Internet and telephone sales. “But the retail stores cannibalized sales from the call center… and that’s what led to their downfall.”
Klein, whose company is based in the Boston area and has the franchise rights for parts of the Northeast, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Florida, said his company is built on offering service, convenience and value. He pledged to maintain that foundation if he is the successful bidder.
“We will work very hard to rebuild the brand, and bring the focus back to the core business,” he said.