--There are indications that more Americans will be home for Thanksgiving and subsequently that could create a spurt of furniture buying --

Charleston, SC November 2, 2001 ---–The Furniture Buying Index climbs 8 points resulting in reading of 69 for this month. This is a welcome sight, since the index has recorded a drop every month since June.

“Eighty percent of Americans plan to be with family this Thanksgiving and this could be a good reason for some to buy new furniture before Thanksgiving” cites Britt Beemer, chairman of America's Research Group.

“Shopping levels in retail stores for the last two weekends in October were slightly higher or equal to last year,” says Beemer.

“These factors will be causing the Furniture Buying Index to go higher in the days ahead and furniture retailers could well see strong furniture sales in the next three weeks prior to Thanksgiving. This is encouraging news for an industry that has struggled all year in capturing consumer’s attention.” Mr. Beemer concludes, “let’s hope those shoppers over Thanksgiving weekend will have furniture on their shopping lists since there is no hot category for Christmas gifts this 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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