Buying Index Drops Two Points

Britt Beemer, Chairman of America’s Research Group, said, “More and more consumers are concerned about the national debt and are worried about government interference.” 

“Job security is a major worry for many Americans,” Beemer commented.  “Consumers are also worried about employers discontinuing their health care coverage,” he added.  “All these fears have many consumers much less enthusiastic about buying furniture,” 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.