-- Furniture Buying Index slightly up --

Charleston, SC May 1, 2006 – The Furniture Buying Index is up slightly to a reading of 77. The Index is still not at strong as it was in January, but it is showing a slight upward turn.

Britt Beemer, Chairman of America’s Research Group, said, “From Americans getting huge tax checks, debt payment is more popular than furniture buying right now.” He continued, “Many furniture retailers will strong sales last fall due to 0% credit offers are seeing customers paying off those purchases with those income tax refunds.”

Beemer added, “Furniture has not yet benefited from huge income tax refund checks.”

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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