Furniture Buying Index Slides to 72

August 3, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in economic news on August 4, 2011 The Furniture Buying Index fell two points this month to a reading of 72, even with the index's level at the end of last year, according to America's Research Group.
 
In a national study conducted by the research group last month, 56.2 percent of consumers interviewed said they feel they are better off as a family today than they were a year ago, but only 42.7 percent of those interviewed feel America is better off today than a year ago.

€œConsumers are feeling better about their personal situation, but are still worried about the future of our country," said Britt Beemer, chairman of America€™s Research Group. €œThis concern about the direction of the country is causing consumers to be very careful about making discretionary purchases such as furniture."

Compiled each month by America's Research Group from interviews with 5,000 to 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 percent actually have a particular item in mind.