--But experienced a significant upward shift this month--

Charleston, SC May 1, 2002 ---–The Furniture Buying Index is up to a reading of 81 for this month. This is a jump from the beginning of the year when the Index was in the low 70’s. This upward turn indicates a good Memorial Day weekend for the furniture industry.

“Consumers have a much higher focus on furniture shopping going into the summer months,” said Britt Beemer, Chairman of America’s Research Group. “This is good for retailers since normally consumers’ focus on furniture goes down going into summer.”

Beemer added that “with the Furniture Buying Index this high, furniture retailers could very well expect the best Memorial Day weekend sales ever recorded.” Beemer indicated that retailers may see 16%-18% more store traffic in stores this Memorial Day weekend than 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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