ADVISORY/Experts Available to Discuss Consumer Confidence Plunge

Business Wire, Oct 30, 2001

Business Editors

ADVISORY...

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 2001

TOPIC: MSNBC reports that widespread layoffs have spurred a rapid decline in
consumer confidence, slashing it to its lowest level in 7-1/2 years. According
to the story, the New York-based Conference Board said Tuesday that its
Consumer Confidence Index sank to 85.5 from 97 in September. Analysts were
expecting a reading of 96, the story said. Consumer confidence drives consumer
spending, which accounts for about two-thirds of the nation's economic
activity, experts said. EXPERTS: ExpertSource can offer several highly
qualified experts to comment on this story:

James Gagne is Chief Communications Officer for Planalytics, Inc. Planalytics is a supply chain planning portal serving three vertical markets: retail, agriculture, and energy. Planalytics provides additional vital future intelligence into supply chain planning, quantifying how, where, and when weather, economic, demographic, and competitive shifts from year to year will affect supply and demand for specific products and services. His experts can comment on consumer motivation and behavior, forecasting consumer demand, retail sales trends, holiday sales, and the effect of weather on sales and the economy. 610/407-2956; jgagne@planalytics.com

Ronald C. Curhan is Professor of Marketing at the School of Management, Boston University where he has taught marketing management, marketing strategy, retailing, and other marketing courses at both graduate and undergraduate levels. He received a B.S. degree from Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1952; and MBA and Doctor of Business Administration degrees from the Graduate School of Business Administration, Harvard University in 1957 and 1971, respectively. During 1978-79 he served as visiting Research Professor at the marketing Science institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts. 617/353-4293

Oscar Gonzalez monitors and forecasts financial and macro-economic trends for John Hancock Financial Services. He analyzes the economy's potential impact on the company's business lines and investments. His work supports a wide range of Hancock's business units. Prior to joining Hancock, Dr. Gonzalez worked for five years as an economist for the Massachusetts Attorney General. He is a member of the National Association of Business Economists. Dr. Gonzalez received his B.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from Clark University. 617/572-9572; ogonzalez@jhancock.com

Ms. Angela Auchey is a Senior Investment Analyst for Federated Investors, Inc in Pittsburgh where her expertise includes Consumer Cyclicals and Consumer Staples. PR: Rebecca Taylor 412/288-8079.

Mr. Johnny Hea is a Sr. Equity Analyst for StreetAdvisor.com, L.P.. He covers large and mid-cap consumer product companies and retailers. 817/877-1392; johnny@streetadvisor.com or PR: Clare Hertel, chertel@aol.com

ExpertSource cannot guarantee the immediate availability of these experts or their familiarity with this specific issue.

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