1. The BIG CallMay 2011Pam Goodfellow, Senior Analyst, BIGresearch Guest Contributor: Ellen Davis, National Retail Federation VP 400 W. Wilson Bridge Rd. Suite 200 Worthington, OH 43085 Ph: 614-846-0146 BIGinfo@bigresearch.com presented by:

3. More or Less Safe? Life Without Osama bin Laden

4. Employment Environment

5. Practical Purchasing

6. Effects of Escalating Pump Prices

7. 90 Day Outlook: Future Purchase Plans

8. Guest Contributor: Ellen Davis, National Retail Federation VP

9. Retail Industry Sales

10. Graduation Insights

12. BIGresearch® Consumer Intentions & Actions® Survey Trends, May 2004 – May 2011Disclaimer: BIGresearch® makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning: data gathered or obtained by BIGresearch from any source; the present or future methodology employed in producing BIGresearch statistics; or the BIGresearch data and estimates represent only the opinion of BIGresearch and reliance thereon and use thereof shall be at the user’s own risk. BIGresearch® is a registered trademark of Prosper Business Development Corp.

13. Consumer Confidence Confident/Very Confident in Chances for a Strong EconomyAdults 18+ Source: BIGresearch®, Consumer Intentions & Actions® Survey, MAY 10-11

14. Confident/Very Confident in Chances for a Strong EconomyAdults 18+ Source: BIGresearch®, Consumer Intentions & Actions® Survey, MAY 04-11 Consumer Confidence

15. More or Less Safe? Life Without Osama bin Laden In light of Osama bin Laden's death, do you feel more, the same or less safe when it comes to national security? Source: BIGresearch®, Consumer Intentions & Actions® Survey, MAY-11

16. More or Less Safe? Life Without Osama bin Laden Do you believe the death of Osama bin Laden will end the terrorist threat to the United States? Source: BIGresearch®, Consumer Intentions & Actions® Survey, MAY-11

17. Employment Outlook Regarding the U.S. employment environment, over the next 6 months, do you think that there will be more, the same or fewer layoffs than at present?Adults 18+ 9.8%* 9.0%* 8.9%* 8.8%* 4.9%* * U.S. Unemployment Rate for the previous month for each corresponding MMM-YY, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Source: BIGresearch®, Consumer Intentions & Actions Survey®, MAY 08-11

18. Practicality in Purchasing In the last 6 months, have you made any of the following changes?Adults 18+ Upward Trend Continues Source: BIGresearch®, Consumer Intentions & Actions® Survey, MAY 06-11

19. Effects of Escalating Pump Prices Fluctuating Gas Prices Have Impacted My SpendingAdults 18+ 43.0% 45-54 year olds using coupons more often to defray fuel expenses 50%+ Adults 45 and older who are taking fewer shopping trips to conserve gas (and $$$) 74.2% Anticipate gas prices will continue to rise through the end of May Source: BIGresearch®, Consumer Intentions & Actions® Survey, MAY 10-11 Energy Information Administration (All Grades, All Formulations)

20. 90 Day Outlook: Future Purchase Plans Over the next 90 days (May, June and July), do you plan on spending more, the same or less on the following items than you would normally spend at this time of the year? Adults 18+ Retail Merchandise Categories - 90 Day Outlook(May-11 compared to Apr-11, May-10, and May-09) Note: “Up,” Down,” “Flat” refers to the direction of the Diffusion Index compared to the previous month (Mar-11) or years (May-10, May-09, May-08). Diffusion Index = % Spending More - % Spending Less. Source: BIGresearch®, Consumer Intentions & Actions® Survey, MAY 09-11

22. April sales saw gains from health and personal care stores, and clothing stores

25. Spending hits $106 – an all-time high

26. Men are spending more than women

27. Practical gifts like automotive accessories seeing increases