Furniture Buying Index Drops Two Points

Britt Beemer, Chairman of America’s Research Group, said, “Consumer confidence crashed as more consumers have put discretionary spending on a "complete and total’ hold.” 

“This is not a good sign for the furniture industry as many were hoping to see a turn-around this year,” Beemer commented.  “That is sure not to happen with the Index falling back to a reading of 57,” he concluded.  

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.