Albert Chow (Silk & Snow): Canadian Roots, Sleep Country, and Expansion

Craig Patterson and Albert Chow, co-founder & CEO at Silk & Snow, discussed the company’s origins and growth trajectory. Launched in 2017 as a mattress-in-a-box brand, Silk & Snow quickly distinguished itself by leveraging Toronto’s local manufacturing ecosystem. From the beginning, the brand emphasized thoughtful design, supply chain transparency, and strong relationships with family-owned manufacturers, eventually expanding into bedding, bedroom furniture, and living room essentials. Chow highlighted the pivotal role of Silk & Snow’s 2023 acquisition by Sleep Country Canada in accelerating the company’s expansion. While the brand began with mattresses, its timely pivot during the pandemic into bedding and furniture positioned it for long-term growth. Today, Silk & Snow complements Sleep Country’s digital and retail presence, with showrooms and shop-in-shop concepts across Canada. The company currently operates seven standalone stores, aiming to reach 10 by year’s end, with further plans to grow to 15 locations. Looking ahead, Silk & Snow remains focused on refreshing its product lines with new bed frames, sofa colors, and evolving designs while staying true to its Canadian identity. Chow noted shifting consumer behavior, with shoppers blending online research and physical store visits, especially in categories like mattresses and furniture where tactile experience matters. He also pointed to broader retail trends, including the decline of department stores, the rise of specialty retailers, and growing consumer interest in supporting Canadian-made products. Interviewed this episode:Albert Chow, co-founder & CEO at Silk & SnowSilk & Snow This podcast is the audio version of the The Interview Series video podcasts by Retail Insider Canada are available through our Retail Insider YouTube Channel where you can subscribe and be notified when new video episodes are available. Subscribe, Rate, and Review our Retail Insider Podcast! Follow Craig:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/CraigPattersonTorontoInstagram: @craig_patterson_torontoTwitter: @RI_EIC Follow Retail Insider:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/Retail-InsiderFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RetailInsider/Twitter: @RetailInsider_Instagram: @Retail_Insider_Canada Share your thoughts!Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/