The bed-in-a-box industry is changing the way people shop for mattresses. Consumer Reports' Mary Beth Quirk joins Cheddar to discuss the non-profit's cover story about the evolving state of the mattress industry. Despite getting all the headlines, bed-in-a-box brands still only account for a small fraction of the market.
Quirk tells us why the phenomenon stills feels like a novelty for most shoppers, despite being around for a few years. She also explains the challenge they pose to Consumer Reports' "try before you buy" policy. Helpful return policies make the practice a viable one for beds ordered online.
The online consumer editor speaks to which types of mattresses get the highest marks when it comes to quality. She also tells us whether the showroom model is working out for digital retailers. Quirk considers whether the bed-in-a-box industry is a bubble primed to pop, with almost 200 brands and counting.
Nestlé has dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe after an investigation into an undisclosed relationship with a direct subordinate. The company announced on Monday that the dismissal was effective immediately. An investigation found that Freixe violated Nestlé’s code of conduct. He had been CEO for a year. Philipp Navratil, a longtime Nestlé executive, will replace him. Chairman Paul Bulcke stated that the decision was necessary to uphold the company’s values and governance. Navratil began his career with Nestlé in 2001 and has held various roles, including CEO of Nestlé's Nespresso division since 2024.
Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies a decade after they joined in a massive merger that created one of the biggest food companies on the planet. One of the companies will include brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraft Mac & Cheese. The other will include brands like Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. When the company formed in 2015 it wanted to capitalize on its massive scale, but shifting tastes complicated those plans, with households seeking to introduce healthier options at the table. Kraft Heinz's net revenue has fallen every year since 2020.