Casual Living's exclusive Universe Study of the outdoor home furnishings industry provides estimated 2007 and 2008 retail sales totals for outdoor furniture and grills, as well as the percentage and dollar breakdowns by specific products through all distribution channels. It also provides projected 2009 sales for each product and channel.

All figures are Casual Living market research estimates. All data is based on retail sales figures. Figures do not include second-hand or used merchandise. And, all figures may not add to 100% due to rounding.

Universe Study figures include sales from grills; outdoor dining sets; conversation groups; other seating, including lounge chairs, hammocks, benches, rockers, gliders and other miscellaneous chairs; other outdoor furniture, including other tables, fire pits, serving carts, bars, storage pieces and other miscellaneous furniture; and shade products, including umbrellas, pergolas and gazebos. Casual and outdoor accessories, as well as outdoor lighting, have been excluded from figures.

The research is based on numerous data sources. Final numbers are a combination of data and information from the following:

• Outdoor furniture product and price data from Casual Living and HGTV's 2009 Outdoor Spaces Consumer Survey
• Outdoor furniture product and price data from Casual Living and HGTV's 2008 Consumer Views Survey
• Outdoor furniture product data from EASI Demographics and sister publication Furniture/Today
• Exclusive retailer data from Casual Living's 2008 and 2009 100 Powerhouse Specialists and 2008 and 2009 Big Box Retailer Ranking
• Retail trade figures from the U.S. Census Bureau's Census of Retail Trade
• Personal Consumption Expenditure data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bureau of Economic Analysis
• Consumer Expenditure Survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Import figures from the International Trade Commission
• Industry reports on the outdoor home furnishings market, including reports from the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association and the National Gardening Association
• Figures from Casual Living's 2009 Industry Outlook survey among outdoor furniture vendors
• Retail sales figures from sister publication Furniture/Today's exclusive rankings and retailer reports, including the Top 100 U.S. furniture stores, Top 25 furniture and bedding retailers, Beyond the Top 100 and Online-only home furnishings retailers
• Figures from sister publication Furniture/Today's 2009 and 2008 Furniture Store Performance Reports
• Public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
• Conversations with retailers, vendors and industry analysts

The research was conducted by Casual Living's market research department, led by Group Research Manager Dana French.

The sponsor of this report, Pride Family Brands, had no involvement in the development of product sales estimates or distribution sales estimates.