-- Furniture Buying Index slightly down, again --

Charleston, SC July 1, 2006 – The Furniture Buying Index is down by one point to a reading of 75. The Index is not what it was last July, but has remained steady since February indicating a consistent year for retailers.

Britt Beemer, Chairman of America’s Research Group, said, “Summer will be tough for furniture retailers because they face uncontrollable obstacles such as higher gas prices and utility bills.” He continued, “This will create a challenge for retailers to attract consumers who are cautious about furniture buying. Many consumers will be overwhelmed with summer activities and will wait until kids go back to school to re-assess their furniture buying decisions.”

Beemer added, “Furniture retailers will have to become inventive in their advertising to draw consumers into their stores.”

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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