BIGresearch's March Retail Ratings: Wal-Mart Remains On Top for Store Shopped Most Often for Linens/Bedding/Draperies

COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwire - April 3, 2008) - When shopping for Linens/Bedding/Draperies (L/B/D), consumers are more likely to head to Wal-Mart as 18.1% say they shop there most often for these softlines, according to BIGresearch's (http://www.bigresearch.com) March 2008 Retail Ratings Report. Bed Bath & Beyond follows in second place with 11.9% of the share and JC Penney (7.5%) takes third.

When it comes to consumers who report a household income of greater than $50,000, Bed Bath & Beyond tops their list with a share of 17.9% (vs. 13.8% in March 07). Wal-Mart slips to second with 11.8% of the share (vs. 14%), followed by JC Penney with 9.6% (vs. 9.5%).

Wal-Mart maintains a strong lead among consumers with a household income of less than $50,000, picking up share from last year, 28.1% in 08 vs. 26% in March 2007. Bed Bath & Beyond's growth in share is marginal, increasing slightly to 9% (vs. 8.8%). Target rounds out the top three in this segment with 6.8% of the share (vs. 6%).

Compared to 2007, Wal-Mart experienced positive growth in the L/B/D category among consumers with a household income less than $50,000, with a Consumer Equity Index™ (CEI) of 107.99. (CEI measures growth in share year over year.) Kohl's (159.43) and Target (113.67) also gained consumer share.

Price is listed as the top reason both consumer segments buy L/B/D at a particular retailer. However, differences are apparent among the two groups when it comes to selection and quality.

Reasons for Shopping Retailer for L/B/D
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                HH Income               HH Income
                Greater than $50,000    Less than $50,000
Price           67.6%                   73.2%
Selection       56.3%                   46.4%
Quality         46.6%                   39.4%

Source: BIGresearch, Mar 08 CIA

"It's no surprise that price is the main factor in choosing a retailer during uncertain economic times," said Pam Goodfellow, Senior Analyst of BIGresearch. "It's interesting to note the 10 point disparity between consumers who report incomes greater than and less than $50,000 regarding selection. Assortment appears to be driving higher income consumers to big boxes like Bed Bath & Beyond and Linens 'n Things."

BIGresearch's Retail Ratings Reports (RRR) are available monthly for 12 major merchandise categories. They are developed from BIGresearch's monthly Consumer Intentions & Actions (CIA) Survey of over 7,500 online interviews. In addition to income breaks, the RRR are segmented by age and gender. For a sample of the March report for Linens/Bedding/Draperies for all consumers and by income breaks, please click the following link: http://info.bigresearch.com/.

About BIGresearch

BIGresearch is a consumer intelligence firm providing analysis of behavior in areas of products and services, retail, financial services, automotive, and media. They conduct the Consumer Intentions and Actions (CIA) Survey which monitors the pulse of more than 7,500 consumers each month. The CIA delivers fresh, demand-based information on where the retail consumer is shopping and their changing behavior. Unlike indicators based on past performance, this data brings intelligence on where the retail consumer is going, their intentions and actions. They also conduct the Simultaneous Media Survey (SIMM) which monitors over 15,000 consumers each month.

BIGresearch's methodology provides the most accurate consumer information in the industry with a margin of error of +/- 1 percent. http://www.bigresearch.com

Contact Information: Contact: Chrissy Wissinger BIGresearch 450 West Wilson Bridge Road Suite 370 Worthington, Ohio 43085 (614) 846-0146