-- Furniture Buying Index Has No Change Due to Political Concerns --

Charleston, SC November 1, 2006 – The Furniture Buying Index remains the same this month at a reading of 76. The Index is being impacted by cautious consumers when they make their big-ticket purchases.

Britt Beemer, Chairman of America’s Research Group, said, “We would have hoped for the Furniture Buying Index to have edged upward this month, but political issues are continually impacting consumers.” He continued, “Consumer’s uncertainty about the election and war issues have dampened their desires to make big ticket purchases at this time.”

Beemer added, “However, this steady Index indicates steady sales, so at least there is no decline this month for furniture sales, and retailers can still expect to see retail store traffic.”

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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