--Continuing to suggest strong retail selling for the coming year--

Charleston, SC November 1, 2002 ---–The Furniture Buying Index remains high at 85 this month. The index is at 85 for the month of November, matching last month’s reading.

Britt Beemer, Chairman of America’s Research Group, stated, “while the index did not increase for the coming month, the index continues to suggest strong retail selling for the coming year.” However, Beemer warns that furniture retailers focusing on credit and not showing furniture in their advertising is a failing strategy.

Beemer concluded with, “consumers want to see the furniture being offered by that store.”

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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