--Consumers are feeling better about spending--

Charleston, SC May 1, 2003 – The Furniture Buying Index is up by two points this month. This small jump up has high hopes for strong furniture sales now that the war with Iraq is over and summer is fast approaching.

Britt Beemer, Chairman of America’s Research Group, says, “now that the war with Iraq is over, consumers are feeling better about spending money.” This indicates that the Index will continue to rise over the summer months that will reflect into good furniture sales in the coming months.

Beemer added that, “consumers are spending more time at home.” Beemer believes this trend will translate into higher furniture sales over the next few months because consumers will want to “make living at home more comfortable.”

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

Return to Furniture Buying Index