--Furniture Buying Index holding steady --

Charleston, SC January 1, 2003 – The Furniture Buying Index is down one point this month to a reading of 88. The Furniture Buying Index is holding steady despite the small downward turn this month.

Britt Beemer, Chairman of America’s Research Group, said, “This slight drop in the Furniture Buying Index does not hurt the Index due to the fact that it is still a point higher than this time last year, and has not dropped lower than 80 throughout the year of 2003.” Beemer continued, “The Furniture Buying Index is still holding steady.”

Beemer added, “Based upon this high reading, retailers should expect strong sales and a strong President’s Day sales weekend.”

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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