How Casper made sweet eCommerce dreams come true

“The Warby Parker of mattresses”. That’s what Casper called itself when it launched back in 2014, a reference to the wildly popular direct-to-consumer eyewear startup. 

Casper founders Philip Krim, Neil Parikh, T. Luke Sherwin, Jeff Chapin, and Gabe Flateman had a singular vision: produce one high-quality mattress model, sell it at an affordable price online, and deliver it quickly, for free, with a 100-day trial period.

The idea was so simple and smart that the New York-based online mattress company raised $1.85 million in its first round of funding, including investments from celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Ashton Kutcher, and hip-hop artist Nas.

Why mattresses, you might ask?

In recounting the Casper mattress story to Inc, co-founder and COO said his father, being a sleep doctor, offered him a unique insight into the mattress industries problems:

Seizing the opportunity for an industry overhaul, the team spent eight months testing different mattresses and learned that most people need similar things, especially back support. With that in mind, they decided to manufacture a foam mattress that offered ample support through memory foam, as well as a layer of open-cell latex foam for breathability and just the right amount of bounce.

They also realized that a fast and free shipping solution , and the ability for customers to try the product at home, were pivotal to their success. By designing a mattress that could be compressed to fit inside a box the size of a standard dorm refrigerator, they could deliver their products via UPS at a tenth of the price of shipping a regular mattress.

By selling directly to the consumer via the eCommerce store, Casper was also able to undercut the price of comparable mattresses significantly. Parikh says they decided on a price point based on what they felt customers would be willing to pay, as well as operational costs:

The team’s tactics worked. Within 28 days of launching in April 2014, Casper had already sold $1 million worth of mattresses.

Selling value, not just a product

Aside from the benefits of the direct-to-consumer eCommerce business model, Casper’s founders knew that their long-term success hinged on promising a meaningful, positive lifestyle change beyond the product itself.

The company’s messaging revolved around the far-reaching benefits of better sleep for customers. Until last year, Casper even ran a sister website – Van Winkle’s – dedicated to the science of good sleep and sleep wellness.

Casper also has a dedicated research division – Casper Labs – where 15,000 customers are involved in the product development process. Parikh says these customers have become Casper’s biggest brand advocates:

Despite the buzz surrounding the Casper brand (including one of its mattresses making an appearance on Kylie Jenner’s Instagram account), its founders attribute much of their success to using smart tech. Their supply chain and inventory management software enable them to track materials and orders seamlessly, and even be proactive about customer service. As Parikh told Inc.:

As of 2016 – the last time Casper disclosed revenue or sales figures – the company had garnered sales of $200 million.

Today, Casper sells a suite of pillows, bedding products, and dog beds in addition to mattresses, and has partnered with American Airlines to design pillows, blankets, and other products for the airline's passengers.

Earlier this year, it also opened its first brick-and-mortar store in the heart of downtown New York, in SoHo. Casper CEO Philip Krim told CNBC that the company's goal is to learn from the store opening, see how shoppers react and plan from there.

Key lessons from Casper’s success story

1. It’s crucial to get the product right: Business success relies on offering a product that provides genuine value to customers. It’s critical to test products and ask for customer feedback to make sure you’re getting it right.
2. Emphasize the benefit, not just the product: Your product might be phenomenal, but customers want to know how they will benefit from it. In Casper’s case, this means selling the concept of good sleep and a better lifestyle rather than just a comfortable foam mattress.
3. Customer experience is everything: Exceptional customer service is the common theme shared by the majority of successful eCommerce businesses. With its try-at-home direct-to-consumer model, Casper ticks all the boxes: convenience, simplicity, and affordability.
4. Inventory management can make or break the business: Utilizing the right tech to streamline inventory management and supply chain operations is imperative. Casper’s secret to success is software that allows them to track and manage materials and orders, and go above-and-beyond with customer care.