BIGresearch's May Survey: Fashion-Oriented Consumers Decline as Gas Prices Increase

COLUMBUS, OH -- (MARKET WIRE) -- May 22, 2007 -- The recent increase in fashion-oriented shoppers hit a bump in the road in May as 22% fewer consumers than in March said that "newest trends and styles best identified their fashion feelings," according to BIGresearch's May Consumer Intentions & Actions Survey (CIA) of 8,353 consumers.

The percentage of fashion-oriented consumers grew 92% from 9% in May 2005 to 17.3% in March 2007. As gas prices began to escalate in March, the number declined to 16.9% in April. With the additional gas hikes in May, the percentage tumbled to 13.5%, a decrease of 20% from April.

To view complete chart, click the following link: www.bigresearch.com/bigciamaytrends.pdf

"Fashion-conscious consumers who prefer the newest trends and fashions tend to be younger, single females who favor name brands and are willing to pay more to look fashionable," said Gary Drenik, President & CEO of BIGresearch. "The fashion forward consumer is a lucrative high margin customer and their wallets seem to be pinched by higher gas prices. As a result, retail sales of fashion clothing would be impacted as shoppers switch to less expensive brands, look for sales, shop online and / or closer to home," said Drenik.

How Have Fluctuating Gas Prices Impacted Your Spending?

                                 Fashion-Forward /
                                 Newest Trend Shoppers          All
                                 ---------------------          ---
Spending Less on Clothing               28.6%                   24.1%
Reduced Dining Out                      35.7%                   31.1%
Driving Less                            40.2%                   40.0%

Additional information on CIA and other BIGresearch samples may be accessed by going to: http://www.bigresearch.com and clicking on Complimentary Top Line Findings.

About BIGresearch

BIGresearch is a market intelligence firm providing analysis of consumer behavior in areas of retail, financial services, automotive, and media. They conduct the Consumer Intentions & Actions (CIA) Survey which monitors the pulse of more than 7,000 consumers each month. The CIA delivers current, demand-based information on where the retail consumer is shopping and their changing behavior. The data provides intelligence on where the retail consumer is going, their intentions and actions.

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

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