DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/f87862/bed_and_bath_linen) has announced the addition of the "Bed and Bath Linens in the United States 2009" report to their offering.

The bed and bath linen market is coming down from a multi-year run-up in sales. The outlook is bleak as the housing crisis continues and consumers cut spending on discretionary items. Both suppliers and retailers struggle to stay afloat. In this report, the author takes a closer look at the state of affairs and how consumer buying habits have changed.

Analysis and insights offered include:

• How the recession impacts sales directly and indirectly
• Which segments are likely to perform better
• How suppliers are dealing with loss of sales
• Which retail channels are losing out in the recession
• Why brand is of little importance
• How much has price sensitivity increased
• How substantial is the linens-as-gift market

Some of the Topics covered:

• Scope and Themes
• Sales of bed and bath linens coming down from 2006 peak
• Recession has numerous impacts on discretionary category
• Suppliers focus on cost cutting to avoid bankruptcy
• Consumers find value at mass merchandisers but not specialty stores
• Market Size and Forecast
• Market Drivers
• Recession reduces discretionary spending and increases price-sensitivity
• Older consumers will grow in importance despite lower purchase rate
• Biggest suppliers focus on cost cutting as sales plummet
• Bankruptcies impact certain suppliers
• Linens 'n Things bankruptcy reflects specialty store weakness
• Mass merchandisers see consumers trading down
• Licensing established brands as extensions to the home market
• Chemical treatment increases time between laundering
• IKEA
• Average amount spent on bedding jumps with household income
• Larger households spend more because they buy more products
• Motivations for Purchase
• Replacement is stronger motivation in economic downturn
• Sales of towels, sheets, and pillowcases may be most resilient in recession
• Price is the key factor in all categories, brand and retailer matter least
• Male respondents slightly more influenced by brand
• Brand and retailer more important to 25-34 year olds
• Complaints and use of gift cards have not changed in last two years
• Under-35s are most difficult to please
• Race/Hispanic origin
• Hispanics more likely to upgrade
• Price is primary consideration for all racial/ethnic groups
• Sheets and pillowcases

Companies Mentioned:

• American Textile Manufacturers Institute (ATMI)
• CHF Industries, Inc.
• Cotton Incorporated
• Divatex Home Fashions, Inc
• Dresdner Bank AG
• Experian
• Franco Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Greenfield Online
• Home Furnishings News (HFN)
• IKEA USA
• J C Penney Company, Inc
• Kmart Corporation
• Kohl's Corporation
• Laura Ashley Group
• Macy's, Inc.
• Mervyn's
• Organic Trade Association
• Pacific Coast Feather Co.
• Sleep Innovations Inc
• Springs Global US, Inc.
• Supima Association of America
• The Textile Institute
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• US Department of Commerce
• Walmart Stores (USA)
• WestPoint Home Stores, LLC
• Williams-Sonoma, Inc

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/f87862/bed_and_bath_linen

Laura Wood

Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

Fax from USA: 646-607-1907

Fax from rest of the world: +353-1-481-1716

Source: Research and Markets

<<Business Wire -- 05/27/2009>>