The mattress industry is far from sleepy. With the rise of e-commerce, returns, and direct-to-consumer brands, mattresses have become one of the most profitable consumer products to resell. Whether you're looking for a new business opportunity or want to add an income stream, learning how to become a mattress dealer can be a smart, scalable move.
This guide covers everything you need to know—startup options, inventory sources, licensing, profit margins, and marketing strategies—to start your journey as a mattress dealer.
The global mattress market was valued at $50 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach over $78 billion by 2030. Consumers are upgrading more frequently, online mattress sales have exploded, and returned or overstocked mattresses often re-enter the market through secondary sellers. That means there’s more inventory—and opportunity—than ever.
There are multiple ways to become a mattress dealer, and your entry point depends on how hands-on or hands-off you want to be.
You can source new mattresses in bulk from manufacturers or distributors and resell them via:
👉 Learn how to set up a Shopify store here.
Returned mattresses from big brands (like Purple, Tempur-Pedic, or Nectar) can't be resold as new, even if lightly used. Some companies work with independent reps or dealers to resell these items locally.
If logistics and inventory aren't your thing, you can partner with a dropshipper to list mattresses online without storing them. However, margins may be smaller.
Explore Spocket or SaleHoo for mattress dropshipping options.
Before selling your first mattress, you’ll need to get legit.
Decide if you want to operate as a sole proprietor, LLC, or corporation. Most small dealers start as an LLC for liability protection.
You’ll likely need a reseller’s certificate or sales tax ID to buy wholesale tax-free and collect tax from buyers. You can get this through your state’s Department of Revenue.
Some cities or states require a special license to resell used items—including mattresses. Be sure to check your local zoning and licensing requirements.
Your profit hinges on finding high-quality mattresses at low cost. Consider these sources:
Some DTC mattress companies, like Sharetown, contract dealers to pick up and resell returned items from consumers. This can eliminate inventory risk since you don’t pay until the item is sold.
In many states, selling used mattresses is legal—but regulated.
You don’t need a retail store to become a mattress dealer, you just need visibility and trust. Here’s how to build your customer base:
Use Shopify or Squarespace to create a simple e-commerce store and process payments securely.
Most customers don’t have trucks. Offering delivery can boost your margins and customer satisfaction, especially if you remove their old mattress, too.
Mattress resellers can see margins from 40% to 80%, depending on their inventory costs and delivery model.
Use Wave or QuickBooks to track expenses, sales, and taxes.
Once you’ve found success as a mattress dealer, consider:
Many successful mattress dealers start small. For instance, reps with Sharetown often begin by reselling mattresses part-time, then grow into full-fledged local businesses—earning enough to pay off debt, travel, or even support their families full time.
The mattress resale industry has opened up thanks to shifting buying habits, returned product surpluses, and the power of local online selling. Whether you want to build a full business or a flexible side hustle, you can become a mattress dealer without a huge upfront investment—just hustle, smart sourcing, and a focus on customer trust.
