The bedding industry posted modest gains for 2013, with units increasing by 1.5% and dollars climbing by 2.1%, according to preliminary figures released by the International Sleep Products Assn.

The figures showed the innerspring segment dramatically outperforming the specialty sleep segment, a rare accomplishment for the innerspring category, buoyed last year by a strong showing by hybrid sleep sets, which combine innersprings and specialty foams.

Preliminary figures show innerspring mattress units up 2.7% for the year, compared with a 7.3% decline for specialty mattress units. And the dollar value of innerspring mattress shipments was up a healthy 8.1%, compared with a 4.3% decline for specialty mattress dollars.

That was the worst performance by the specialty sleep segment since the recession years of 2008 and 2009.

The average unit price for innerspring mattresses was up 5.3% for 2013, to $266.02, while it increased 3.2% for specialty mattresses, to $767.90. But the average unit price for foundations plunged 7.5%, to $80.83. Overall, the industry saw the average unit price rise just 0.5% last year, to $217.11, according to the preliminary figures.

Final figures for 2013 won't be available until ISPA completes a more detailed look at the year and issues its annual report in a few months.

ISPA's monthly Bedding Barometer reported that the industry recorded a strong December, with units up 4.8% that month and the dollar value of bedding shipments increasing 7.0%.

Innerspring mattress units jumped 5.3% in December, while specialty mattress units dropped 4.0%. The dollar value of innerspring mattress shipments jumped 8.8% in December; specialty mattress dollars increased 6.6% that month.

ISPA also issued a fourth-quarter breakdown that showed innerspring mattress units up 4.1%, compared with a steep 11.7% decline for specialty mattress units. Innerspring mattress dollars were up 9.1% in the fourth quarter, while dollars were down 4.8% for specialty mattresses that quarter, ISPA reported.

The Bedding Barometer reports reflect the performance of 14 bedding producers who accounted for 70% of total units in 2012 and almost 79% of the wholesale value of bedding shipments. But ISPA cautions that the reports may not necessarily reflect the performance of the full industry, due to market share or distribution changes.