Ira Fruitman of Bedroom Express
Bedroom Express named Dealer of the Year at BrandSource Convention
YSN Staff
Some businesses grow beyond all recognition and lose their connection with their community, and others streamline to become lean and profitable. Bedroom Express Furniture & Mattress is in the latter category.
Bedroom Express of San Bruno, Calif. was named the 2024 BrandSource Dealer of the Year for the Pacific Rim Region at the BrandSource National Convention in Dallas.
Principals Ira and Julie Fruitman were honored at the buying group’s awards ceremony, which was a highlight of the annual show.
Waterbed Beginnings
Bedroom Express started out in 1979 as San Carlos Waterbeds, and the Fruitmans acquired the business in 1987, after which it evolved into Bedroom Express.
The furniture business is in Fruitman’s blood — both his father and grandfather were furniture retailers.
Though Bedroom Express once boasted four locations, the Fruitmans have streamlined and now concentrate on creating excellent customer experiences in their 12,000-square-foot San Bruno showroom. The store carries a full line of furniture and mattresses and specializes in providing white glove delivery and installation services.
Bedroom Express has been a BrandSource member since 2010, and Fruitman said his participation in the group has helped make his business more profitable.
“Utilizing volume rebates, buy-downs, private-label mattresses and other BrandSource tools have increased our profit margins,” he said. “Going to meetings I have met many like-minded business owners and managers who have helped us with numerous issues.”
Core Values
Fruitman said being able to network with people who share his experiences as an independent retailer has also been invaluable.
“We have learned so much on so many levels,” he said. “It has helped us become a better business and better employers. Being a member of AVB BrandSource has truly been one of the best decisions we have ever made.”
The BrandSource Dealer of the Year awards are presented annually to members who have demonstrated a continued commitment to excellence in the retail industry and to their fellow BrandSource dealers. The winners, who are selected by the members within each of the group’s 14 regions, also show their support of BrandSource and its vendor partners by attending regional meetings and national events such as the annual Convention and Summit.
YSN publisher AVB BrandSource is the nation’s largest merchandising and marketing co-op for independent appliance, mattress, furniture and CE dealers.
