Dublin - Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/a9c91b/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/a9c91b/bed_and_bath_linen

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