--Consumer confidence in furniture buying is high--

Charleston, SC January 1, 2003 ---–The Furniture Buying Index is down by only one point this month. This slight slide is not unexpected considering the strong growth the index has experienced over the last year.

Britt Beemer, Chairman of America’s Research Group, explained, “this decline is only minimal compared to the strong growth the index has experienced over the past year.” Beemer commented on how consumer confidence has remained high in furniture and even with this slight decline it will not affect consumer buying in the furniture industry.

Beemer concluded that, “the strong growth of the index is an indication of a strong selling season despite consumer confidence being down over the past Christmas shopping season.”

The Furniture Buying Index is compiled each month by America's Research Group from interviews with 5,000-8,000 consumers across the country. In a typical month, 80 percent of the consumers interviewed can name a specific furniture item they intend to buy. The Index's mark signifies what percent of the benchmark 80% actually have a particular item in mind.

Britt Beemer is chairman of America's Research Group, a full-service consumer behavior research company based in Charleston, SC. ARG provides research and strategic planning services to leading manufacturers and retailers of consumer goods across North America.

For more information call:
C. Britt Beemer
800-723-3253 or REQUEST MORE INFORMATION

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