--Furniture Buying Index holds steady in spite of rising gas prices --

Charleston, SC April 1, 2005 – The Furniture Buying Index holds steady this month at a reading of 89. Some have stated that higher gas prices would negatively impact furniture sales, but sales are holding steady.

Britt Beemer, Chairman of America’s Research Group, said, “I have said for years that too much credit has been given to higher gas prices for slow retail sales, but the real problem has been the right product and a strong advertising message.” He continued, “Some critics have stressed that higher gas prices would negatively impact furniture sales this season.”

Beemer added, “Gas prices may have an impact, but gas prices had virtually no impact last year.”

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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