The "Sleep Maxing" trend—maximizing the value of sleep—is spreading rapidly, driving growing consumer interest in beds. With insomnia sufferers increasing sharply, the sleep industry is expected to expand accordingly.
According to an analysis by AI big data firm NeuenAI of online consumer perceptions of 20 bed brands sold in South Korea from January 1, 2023, to December 31 last year, bed-related online mentions rose from 2.945 million in 2023 to 3.657 million in 2024, then to 4.172 million last year—a year-over-year increase.
NeuenAI analyzed various unstructured colloquial data, including AI context and related keywords, from bed-related online big data.
The surge in bed-related mentions reflects heightened interest in sleep quality. According to an analysis of medical data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of sleep disorder patients reached 1,308,383 last year, up approximately 26% from 1,037,396 in 2020.
Among the top 50 bed-related keywords, consumer interest concentrated on lying comfort, design, and price.
Notably, the survey found that consumers prioritize price over design, functionality, or materials when selecting beds.
An analysis of online consumer perceptions of 20 bed brands sold domestically from January 1 to December 31 last year showed "price" as the most frequently mentioned keyword.
Among the top eight bed brands by mention volume, "price" accounted for approximately 31% of related keywords. Design followed at 22.6%, size at 21.4%, materials at 13.5%, and functionality at 10.86%. The results reflect the impact of bed price increases due to rising raw material costs amid a prolonged economic downturn that has constrained consumer spending.
IKEA, Simmons, and Ace Bed showed differences in their associated keywords despite ranking highest in mention volume.
IKEA, which emphasizes practicality, saw the highest interest in size (30.4%), followed by price (29.6%) and design (22.6%). Simmons, which positions itself as a premium brand, had price as its highest keyword at 32.7%, followed by size (28.8%) and design (18.0%). Ace Bed, which highlights technological capabilities, also had price as its top keyword at 31.3%, but showed higher interest in materials (17.1%) and functionality (16.7%) compared to competitors.