A mattress shop looks light until you try to move it. A hundred mattresses stacked in the showroom are barely any weight at all for a truck, but they fill every cubic metre. The owner who sends one pickup van thinks about weight. The owner who thinks about volume sends the right vehicle.
This is the opposite problem from a hardware shop, and it needs a different plan.
Plan by volume, not weight
Foam, spring and fibre mattresses are bulky and light. A truck's weight limit is rarely the problem. Floor area and height are.
Count your stock by size, for example twin, double, queen and king, and note how many of each. Then ask drivers what their body can take. A tall truck body can take mattresses standing on their sides, which fits many more than flat stacks. Also count headboards, bed frames, pillows and rolls of loose foam separately.
If you cannot count it all, ask the driver to see the shop first or send photos.
Keep stock clean and dry
Foam picks up dust and dirt easily. A mattress that arrives with a black stripe from a dirty truck bed is a lost sale.
- Sweep the truck bed before loading, or lay a clean sheet of plastic.
- Wrap each mattress in its original plastic if you have it, or in new polythene.
- Do not stack mattresses against a rough or oily surface.
- Do not let mattresses touch rain, a wet drain or a wet floor at either end.
Our note on moving in Abuja during the rains has ideas on covering a load properly.
Sort the stock before you load
Move the stock in groups, so unloading and setting up the new shop is simple.
- Display mattresses and samples, which you will want first.
- Boxed or wrapped mattresses by size.
- Frames, headboards and bases.
- Pillows, covers and small items in bags.
Number or mark each group and keep a list. If you use a paper stock record or a phone note, take a photo of it before the move.
Load tall and tight
For mattresses on a truck:
- Stand large mattresses on their long edge against the side of the body, tightly packed like books on a shelf.
- Put flat stacks on the bed only if there is no room to stand them, and keep them level.
- Tie everything down with ropes or straps, and use the tarpaulin to stop wind lifting the load.
- Do not stack too high. A tall, light load catches wind and sways on turns.
Our guide to securing a load explains the straps and knots that stop a bulky load from moving.
Ready to move?
Request a truck or van on Sphere
Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan accept or send a counter-offer.
Frames and headboards need padding
Wooden and upholstered frames scratch easily. Wrap legs in old blankets, and keep screws and fittings in bags taped to the frame. Stack headboards face to face with padding between them. For related advice see relocating a furniture showroom.
Think about the new shop before the truck arrives
A mattress shop depends on a clean floor and space to display. Before the truck arrives, sweep and mop the new shop and confirm the doors are wide enough for king-size mattresses. If you plan to use the same display layout, mark out the floor with tape.
If stock is not going straight into the shop, make sure there is a dry, clean store room for it.
Keep trading if you can
Many owners move in two stages: display stock last, so the old shop keeps selling until the final day. Move the slow stock first, then the display set, and open the new shop with a small amount of stock while the rest arrives. This is easier to plan on a weekday morning or evening when the shop is quiet.
How to do this on Sphere
Open the app and choose a truck for a full shop, or a pickup van for a smaller one. Describe the load by count and size: "40 mattresses of mixed sizes, 12 bed frames, headboards, pillows in bags". Add pickup and drop-off, and mention any narrow doors or stairs. Propose a price, and nearby verified drivers will accept or send counter-offers. Agree loading and offloading help with the driver before you accept an offer.
You can also read about business moves in Lagos and truck hire in Lagos.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a truck or will a pickup van do?
It depends on volume. A small stock may fit a pickup van in two trips, but a full shop usually needs a truck with a tall body.
Should mattresses be loaded flat or standing?
Standing on the long edge usually fits more and puts less pressure on the foam. Tie them well.
How do I keep mattresses clean on the truck?
Sweep the bed, lay plastic, wrap each mattress and cover the load with a tarpaulin.
Can I keep the shop open during the move?
Often yes, if you move the slow stock first and the display stock last.
What if my new shop has a narrow door?
Measure the door and the biggest mattress before moving day. Tell the driver if you expect a difficult carry.
Request your move
Request a truck or van on Sphere
Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan accept or send a counter-offer.
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