Market Basket Prices Recede

By Jennifer Marks -- Home Textiles Today, 4/12/2010 12:00:00 AM

New York —

The word “retreat” best sums up what happened to the Top 10 retailer's market baskets in spring 2010, with all but one of them knocking down pricing at the top tier and half of them doing so in their opening price points.

HTT's annual Market Basket survey — which assessed the highest and lowest priced items at stores in New York City, New Jersey, Long Island and Miami — found that most retailers took their higher price merchandise down substantially.

Top-end pricing was down by double-digits at Bed Bath & Beyond, Big Lots, Family Dollar, JCPenney, Kmart, Kohl's, Marshall's and Walmart. However, it must be noted that some items that had been in previous baskets could not be found at Big Lots and Family Dollar this time around.

Macy's tweaked its upper price points only slightly, with its basket dipping 1.83%. Target's upper end basket was actually more expensive this year, up 7.5%.

When looking at the most expensive item in each retailer's basket, all but two were priced lower, in many cases, sharply.

The top-priced item at Kohl's was 58% lower than the top item in the retailer's basket last year. Marshall's pared pricing on the top item by 51%. Other top pricers off significantly included JCPenney (32%) and Walmart (13%).

But two boosted their upper price point: Bed Bath & Beyond, up 25%; and Family Dollar, up 4.3%.

Macy's once again had the priciest item in the survey, although its $400 queen bed in a bag was $40 cheaper than last year's most expensive item.

In opening price point baskets, Bed Bath & Beyond and JCPenney also boosted their prices — up 30.6% and 14.9%, respectively. It should be noted that HTT does not include sale or clearance merchandise in the opening price point baskets.

Kohl's proved the most aggressive in lowering its opening price points, with the ticket for its total basket plunging 40.5%. Three others chopped their basket prices by double digits: Family Dollar, -21.3%; Marshall's, -16.4%; and Big Lots, -15.3%.

Family Dollar provided the least expensive item in the survey: a 50 cent wash cloth. But that was actually 5 cents more expensive than last year's lowest priced item, a 45 cent wash cloth from Target.

Overall, however, the majority of retailers slashed the pricing on their lowest priced market basket item, the wash cloth.

Kohl's was again the bluntest with its axe, chopping the price 62.7%. It was followed by: Big Lots (-40%), Marshall's (-33.4%), Bed Bath & Beyond and Walmart (each -25%), and Kmart (-20.6%). Pricing remained the same at Family Dollar, JCPenney and Macy's, while it jumped 45.3% at Target, from 45 cents last year to $2.49 this year.

Not surprisingly, the difference between the highest and the lowest priced item in each basket narrowed this year for most retailers, in some cases substantially.

The spread at JCPenney last year was over $415; this year it's $280. In Kohl's basket, the difference was $356 last year vs. $148.50 this year. Marshall's also showed some fairly dramatic shrinkage in range, going from $97 last year to $48 this year.

One retailer, however, showed a bigger spread between high and low. Bed Bath & Beyond's range shifted from $106 to $247 as it pushed up the ticket on its opening price point items. Big Lots and Family Dollar also had a bigger spread, but only by a few dollars.

But in considering all the price swings, it is also worth noting this is the second year Big Lots has been included in the survey. It moved up the top retailer ranking when Linens 'n Things closed shop. Still, there is no doubt the shifts reflect the dicey economy in which buyers placed their spring merchandise orders last year.

In terms of manufacturer's identification, it was virtually untraceable on the 38 market basket items at Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart and, to a certain extent, Macy's.

At Wal-Mart and Kmart, only one manufacturer could be identified by either label or RN number. At Target, there were six. At Macy's there were nine.

A full 60% of the products whose country of origin could be determined were produced in China — 162 out of 268 items. The lion's share of the remainder were manufactured in either India (44 items) or Pakistan (35).

Of the remainder, the tally by country was:

USA, 8;Brazil, 6;Bahrain;El Salvador, 3Turkey, 3;Bangladesh, 1;Portugal, 1;Taiwan, 1;Thailand, 1.

Kohl's pulled from the most diverse collection of countries: Bahrain, China, El Salvador, India, Turkey, and the USA.

Bed Bath & Beyond
Opening Price Point

Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
*Two individually packaged shams at 14.99 each; $29.98 for two. **Two individually packaged shams at 17.99 each; 35.98 for two.
Queen sheet set	$29.99	Springs Global	Cotton	Thailand
Queen bed-in-a-bag	149.99	Royal Heritage Home	Cotton/Polyester	China
Pair of standard shams*	29.98	Levinsohn Textile	Cotton/Polyester	China
Dust ruffle	29.99	Levinsohn Textile	Cotton/Polyester	China
Queen quilt	89.99	Sunham	Cotton	China
Queen blanket	29.99	Berkshire Blanket	Polyester	China
Throw	14.99	Sun-Yin USA	Rayon/Acrylic	China
Total Retail	$374.92	+38.9% from $269.92 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet	$9.99	Revere Mills	Cotton	Pakistan
Bath towel	4.99	Revere Mills	Cotton	Pakistan
Hand towel	3.99	Revere Mills	Cotton	Pakistan
Wash cloth	2.99	Revere Mills	Cotton	Pakistan
Shower curtain	14.99	Various	Various	various
Bath rug	14.99	Maples Industries	Nylon	USA
Soap dish	3.99	Umbra	Plastic	China
Lotion pump	12.99	Umbra	Plastic	China
Tissue box	12.99	Umbra	Plastic	China
Total Retail	$81.91	+2.5% from $79.91 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$456.83	+30.6% from $349.83 in 2009
Top Price Point
Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Queen sheet set	$199.99	Springs Global	Cotton	India
Queen bed-in-a-bag	249.99	Royal Heritage Home	Cotton/Polyester	China
Pair of standard shams**	35.98	Levinsohn Textile	Cotton/Polyester	China
Dust ruffle	44.99	Levinsohn Textile	Cotton/Polyester	China
Queen quilt	149.99	CHF Industries	Cotton/Polyester	China
Queen blanket	69.99	Berkshire Blanket	Polyester	China
Throw	29.99	Ellery Homestyles	Polyester	China
Total Retail	$780.92	-16.9% from $939.92 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet	$79.99	Home Source Intl.	Cotton	India
Bath towel	39.99	Home Source Intl.	Cotton	India
Hand towel	19.99	Home Source Intl.	Cotton	India
Wash cloth	12.99	Home Source Intl.	Cotton	India
Shower curtain	49.99	Various	Various	Various
Bath rug	69.99	Mohawk Home	Cotton/Polyester	India
Soap dish	19.99	Not identified	Resin	China
Lotion pump	24.99	Not identified	Resin	China
Tissue box	39.99	Not identified	Resin	China
Total Retail	$357.91	-5.3% from $377.91 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$1,138.83	-31.6% from $1,317.83 in 2009

Big Lots
Opening Price Point

Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
*Only one price point in this category **3 washcloths for $3.75 ***Quilt was Wal-Mart's Better Homes & Garden Brand
Queen sheet set	$15.00	Big Lots	Polyester	China
Queen bed-in-a-bag	35.00	Big Lots	Microfiber	China
Pair of standard shams*	7.00	West Point Home	Cotton/Poly	Pakistan
Dust ruffle*	10.00	West Point Home	Cotton/Poly	China
Queen quilt	25.00	Keeco	Cotton/Poly	China
Queen blanket	NA
Throw	15.00	Big Lots	Polyester	China
Total Retail	$107.00	-20.7% from $135.00 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet	NA
Bath towel	$3.75	Sajid Textile	Cotton	Pakistan
Hand towel	3.00	Sajid Textile	Cotton	Pakistan
Wash cloth**	3.75	Sajid Textile	Cotton	Pakistan
Shower curtain	4.00	Big Lots	Vinyl	China
Bath rug*	5.00	Consolidates Stores	Nylon	USA
Soap dish	1.00	Big Lots	Ceramic	China
Lotion pump	NA
Tissue box*	3.00	Big Lots	Metal	China
Total Retail	$23.50	+23.7 from $19.00 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$130.50	-15.3 from $154.00 in 2009
Top Price Point
Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Queen sheet set	$25.00	Wal-Mart (Home Trends)	Cotton	China
Queen bed-in-a-bag	59.00	Morris Cohen Coat Co.	Polyester	China
Pair of standard shams	7.00	WestPoint Home	Cotton/Poly	Pakistan
Dust ruffle / bedskirt*	10.00	WestPoint Home	Cotton/Poly	China
Queen quilt***	25.00	Keeco	Cotton/Poly	China
Queen blanket	NA
Throw*	15.00	Big Lots	Polyester	China
Total Retail	$141.00	+17% from $170.00 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet	NA
Bath towel	$6.00	Big Lots	Cotton	Pakistan
Hand towel	5.00	WestPoint Home	Cotton	India
Wash cloth	1.50	Big Lots	Cotton	Pakistan
Shower curtain	8.00	Victoria Classics	Polyester	China
Bath rug*	5.00	Consolidated Stores	Cotton	India
Soap dish	2.00	Big Lots	Metal	China
Lotion pump	NA
Tissue box*	3.00	Big Lots	Metal	China
Total Retail	$30.50	+15.1 from $26.50 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$171.50	-12.7 from $196.50 in 2009

Family Dollar
Opening Price Point

Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
*Only one price point available in this category. ** Packaged with soap dish, tissue box and trash bin for $5.00.
Queen sheet set	$20.00	Amrapur Overseas	Polyester	China
Queen bed-in-a-bag	38.00	Family Dollar	Polyester	China
Pair of standard shams*	3.75	Family Dollar	Polyester	China
Dust ruffle	NA
Queen quilt	NA
Queen blanket*	10.00	Owen Mfg (Springs)	Polyester	NA
Throw	NA
Total Retail	$71.75	-32.3% from $106.00 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet	NA	NA
Bath towel	$2.00	Family Dollar	Cotton	Pakistan
Hand towel*	2.50	Family Dollar	Cotton	Pakistan
Wash cloth	0.50	Morgan Group	Cotton	Pakistan
Shower curtain	NA
Bath rug*	10.00	Family Dollar	Nylon	China
Soap dish**	5.00	Family Dollar	Resin	unknown
Lotion pump	NA
Tissue box**	5.00	Family Dollar	Resin	unknown
Total Retail	$25.00	+47% from $17.00 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$96.75	-21.3% from $123.00 in 2009
Top Price Point
Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Queen sheet set	$25.00	Family Dollar	Polyester	China
Queen bed-in-a-bag	48.00	Family Dollar	Polyester	China
Pair of standard shams*	3.75	Family Dollar	Polyester	China
Dust ruffle / bedskirt	NA
Queen quilt	NA
Queen blanket*	10.00	Owen Mfg (Springs)	Polyester	Unknown
Throw	NA
Total Retail	$86.75	-25.2% from $116.00 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet	NA
Bath towel	$4.00	Family Dollar	Cotton	Pakistan
Hand towel*	2.50	Family Dollar	Cotton	Pakistan
Wash cloth	1.00	Family Dollar	Cotton	Pakistan
Shower curtain	NA
Bath Rug*	10.00	Family Dollar	Nylon	China
Soap dish**	5.00	Family Dollar	Resin	Unknown
Lotion pump	NA
Tissue box**	5.00	Family Dollar	Resin	Unknown
Total Retail	$27.50	+22.2% from $22.50 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$114.25	-17.5% from $138.50 in 2009

JCPenney
Opening Price Point

Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
*Only one price point available in this category. **Two individually packaged shams at $35 each. ***Two individually packaged shams at $50 each.
Queen sheet set	$50.00	Springs	Polyester	China
Queen bed-in-a-bag	140.00	Keeco	Cotton/Polyester	Pakistan
Pair of standard shams**	70.00	Peking Handicraft	Polyester	China
Dust ruffle	35.00	Keeco	Cotton	China
Queen quilt	120.00	Hedaya Home	Cotton	China
Queen blanket	49.99	JLA Home	Cotton	China
Throw	NA
Total Retail	$464.99	+14.8% from $404.97 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet*	$19.99	Springs	Cotton	Brazil
Bath towel	7.99	Springs	Cotton	Brazil
Hand towel	5.99	Springs	Cotton	Brazil
Wash cloth	4.99	Springs	Cotton	Brazil
Shower curtain	14.99	Maxan Curtain	Peva	China
Bath rug	44.99	JC Penney	Cotton	India
Soap dish	7.99	JC Penney	Composite	China
Lotion pump	9.99	JC Penney	Composite	China
Tissue box	19.99	JC Penney	Composite	China
Total Retail	$136.91	+15.1% from $118.92 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$601.90	+14.9% from $523.89 in 2009
Top Price Point
Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Queen sheet set	$180.00	American Living Home	Supima Cotton	Pakistan
Queen bed-in-a-bag	285.00	Springs	Cotton	China
Pair of standard shams***	100.00	JCPenney (Chris Madden)	Cotton	India
Dust ruffle	50.00	Peking Handicraft	Polyester/Cotton	China
Queen quilt	170.00	Pem America	Cotton	China
Queen blanket	99.99	Springs	Cotton	India
Throw	NA
Total Retail	$884.99	-18.8% from $1,090.00 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet*	$19.99	Springs	Cotton	Brazil
Bath towel	20.00	American Living Home	Cotton	India
Hand towel	16.00	American Living Home	Cotton	India
Wash cloth	12.00	American Living Home	Cotton	India
Shower curtain	69.99	Croscill	Polyester	China
Bath rug	60.00	Mohawk	Comforel	USA
Soap dish	19.99	Croscill	Composite	China
Lotion pump	29.99	Croscill	Composite	China
Tissue box	49.99	Croscill	Composite	China
Total Retail	$297.95	+1.4% from $293.97 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$1,182.94	-14.5% from $1,383.97 in 2009

Kmart
Opening Price Point

Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
*Two individually packaged shams at $7.99 each; $15.98 for two. **Only one price available for this item.
Queen sheet set	$29.99	Kmart	Various	various
Queen bed-in-a-bag	57.99	Kmart	Cotton/Polyester	China
Pair of standard shams* **	15.98	Kmart	Cotton/Polyester	Pakistan
Dust ruffle	16.99	Kmart	Cotton/Polyester	Pakistan
Queen quilt	NA
Queen blanket	22.99	Kmart	Cotton	China
Throw**	19.99	Kmart	Polyester	China
Total Retail	$163.93	-10.4% from $182.93 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet**	$9.99	Kmart	Cotton	India
Bath towel	7.99	Kmart	Cotton	Pakistan
Hand towel	1.59	Kmart	Cotton	Pakistan
Wash cloth	1.19	Kmart	Cotton	Pakistan
Shower curtain	19.99	Kmart	PEVA	China
Bath rug	5.99	Kmart	Cotton	India
Soap dish	4.59	N/A	Plastic	China
Lotion pump	8.49	N/A	Plastic	China
Tissue box	14.99	N/A	Various	China
Total Retail	$74.81	+18.9% from $62.91 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$238.74	-2.9% from $245.84 in 2009
Top Price Point
Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Queen sheet set	$39.99	Kmart	Various	Various
Queen bed-in-a-bag	103.99	Kmart	Cotton/Polyester	China
Pair of standard shams* **	15.98	Kmart	Cotton/Polyester	Pakistan
Dust ruffle	19.99	Kmart	Cotton/Polyester	Pakistan
Queen quilt	NA
Queen blanket	45.99	Kmart	Polyester	China
Throw**	19.99	Kmart	Polyester	China
Total Retail	$245.93	-38.7% from $400.94 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet**	$9.99	Kmart	Cotton	India
Bath towel	11.49	Allure	Cotton	China
Hand towel	9.49	Allure	Cotton	China
Wash cloth	6.99	Allure	Cotton	China
Shower curtain	28.99	Kmart	Polyester	China
Bath rug	22.99	Allure	Acrylic	China
Soap dish	11.49	NA	Various	China
Lotion pump	14.99	NA	Various	China
Tissue box	19.99	NA	Various	China
Total Retail	$136.41	-13.1% from $156.91 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$382.34	-31.5% from $557.85 in 2009

Kohl's
Opening Price Point

Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
*Only one price point available in this category.
Queen sheet set	$24.99	West Point Home	Poly/Cotton	Bahrain
Queen bed-in-a-bag	83.99	Ellison	Poly/Cotton	China
Pair of standard shams*	14.99	Kohl's	Poly/Cotton	China
Dust ruffle*	24.99	Kohl's	Cotton	China
Queen quilt	69.99	Pem American	Cotton	China
Queen blanket	14.99	Kohl's	Polyester	China
Throw	NA
Total Retail	$223.94	-45% from $404.94 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet	$17.99	Kohl's	Cotton	Turkey
Bath towel	3.49	Kohl's	Cotton	India
Hand towel	2.99	Kohl's	Cotton	India
Wash cloth	1.49	Kohl's	Cotton	India
Shower curtain	11.99	Linde Products	Vinyl	China
Bath rug	10.99	Kohl's	Nylon	USA
Soap dish	7.99	InterDesign	Resin	China
Lotion pump	10.79	InterDesign	Resin	China
Tissue box	11.99	InterDesign	Resin	China
Total Retail	$79.71	-24.7% from $105.91 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$303.65	-40.5% from $510.85 in 2009
Top Price Point
Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Queen sheet set	129.99	Kohl's	Cotton	India
Queen bed-in-a-bag	149.99	Arrow Home Fashions	Cotton/Poly	China
Pair of standard shams	54.99	Kohl's	Cotton	India
Dust ruffle*	24.99	Kohl's	Cotton	China
Queen quilt	89.99	Kohl's	Cotton	China
Queen blanket	24.99	Kohl's	Nylon	China
Throw	NA
Total Retail	$474.94	-52% from $989.94 in 2008
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet	17.99	Kohl's	Cotton	Turkey
Bath towel	24.99	Saturday Knight Ltd.	Cotton/Poly	El Salvador
Hand towel	18.99	Saturday Knight Ltd.	Cotton/Poly	El Salvador
Wash cloth	10.99	Saturday Knight Ltd.	Cotton/Poly	El Salvador
Shower curtain	32.99	Saturday Knight Ltd.	Polyester	China
Bath rug	39.99	Kohl's	Nylon	USA
Soap dish	18.99	NA	Resin	China
Lotion pump	13.19	NA	Resin	China
Tissue box	29.99	NA	Resin	China
Total Retail	$208.11	-30.3% from $298.91 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$683.05	-47.0% from $1,288.85 in 2009

Macy's
Opening Price Point

Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
*Two individually packed shams at $50 each; two for $100. **Two individually packed shams at $175 each; two for $350.
Queen sheet set	$50.00	Sander Sales Enterprises	Polyester/Cotton	China
Queen bed-in-a-bag	400.00	Sunham Bedding Ltd.	Polyester/Cotton	China
Pair of standard shams*	100.00	Macy's/Charter Club	Pima Cotton	Portugal
Dust ruffle	170.00	Macy's/Martha Stewart	Egyptian Cotton	India
Queen quilt	200.00	Macy's/Martha Stewart	Cotton	China
Queen blanket	84.00	Lauren Ralph Lauren	Cotton	China
Throw	80.00	Macy's/Martha Stewart	Acrylic	China
Total Retail	$1,084.00	+8.4% from $1,000.00 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet	$26.00	Macy's/Martha Stewart	Cotton	India
Bath towel	14.00	Macy's/Martha Stewart	Cotton	India
Hand towel	12.00	Macy's/Martha Stewart	Cotton	India
Wash cloth	7.00	Macy's/Martha Stewart	Cotton	India
Shower curtain	14.99	Town & Country Living	PVA	China
Bath rug	29.00	Macy's/Martha Stewart	Nylon	India
Soap dish	11.99	Baltic Linen Co./Echo	Ceramic	China
Lotion pump	14.99	Baltic Linen Co./Echo	Ceramic	China
Tissue box	29.99	Baltic Linen Co./Echo	Ceramic	China
Total Retail	$159.96	-3.6% from $165.96 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$1,243.96	+6.68% from $1,165.96 in 2009
Top Price Point
Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Queen sheet set	$260.00	Macy's/Martha Stewart	Cotton	India
Queen bed-in-a-bag	400.00	Macy's/Martha Stewart	Polyester/Cotton	China
Pair of standard shams**	350.00	Natori/JLA Home	Silk/Cotton	China
Dust ruffle	220.00	Macy's/Martha Stewart	Cotton	India
Queen quilt	300.00	Macy's/Martha Stewart	Cotton	China
Queen blanket	300.00	Macy's/Martha Stewart	Cotton	China
Throw	400.00	Natori/JLA Home	Viscose from Bamboo	China
Total Retail	$2,230.00	+0.9% from $2,210.00 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet	$58.00	Macy's/Hotel	Cotton	India
Bath towel	$30.00	Macy's/Hotel	Cotton	India
Hand towel	$24.00	Macy's/Hotel	Cotton	India
Wash cloth	$12.00	Macy's/Hotel	Cotton	India
Shower curtain	$65.00	Macy's/Hotel	Cotton	Turkey
Bath rug	$70.00	Macy's/Hotel	Cotton	India
Soap dish	$22.99	Macy's/Hotel	Plastic	China
Lotion pump	$27.99	Croscill	Marble	China
Tissue box	$39.99	Macy's/Hotel	Plastic	China
Total Retail	$349.97	-16.3% from $418.21 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$2,579.97	-1.83% from 2,628.21 in 2009

Marshalls
Opening Price Point

Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
*Two individually packaged shams at $5.99 each; $11.98 for two. **Two individually packaged shams at $12.99 each; $25.98 for two.
Queen sheet set	$29.99	Niki International Inc.	Cotton	China
Queen bed-in-a-bag	NA
Pair of standard shams*	11.98	Victoria Classics Ltd.	Cotton/Polyester	China
Dust ruffle	NA
Queen quilt	39.99	Summa International Inc.	Cotton	China
Queen blanket	19.99	Lauren Ralph Lauren	Cotton	China
Throw	5.99	Jay Franco & Sons	Microfiber Fleece	China
Total Retail	$107.94	-23.9% from $141.94 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet	NA
Bath towel	$4.99	Revman International	Cotton	Pakistan
Hand towel	3.99	Revman International	Cotton	Pakistan
Wash cloth	1.99	Abishek Inds./Trident	Cotton	India
Shower curtain	9.99	Victoria Classics	Polyester	China
Bath rug	9.99	Tradwinds Imports	Cotton	India
Soap dish	3.99	N/A	Glass	China
Lotion pump	6.99	N/A	Resin	China
Tissue box	7.99	N/A	Resin	China
Total Retail	$49.92	+6.4% from $46.92 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$157.86	-16.4% from $188.86 in 2009
Top Price Point
Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Queen sheet set	$49.99	Revman Industries	Cotton	Pakistan
Queen bed-in-a-bag	NA
Pair of standard shams**	$25.98	Marshalls of MA Inc.	Cotton	China
Dust ruffle	NA
Queen quilt	49.99	Marshall's of MA Inc.	Cotton	China
Queen blanket	24.99	Lauren Ralph Lauren	Cotton	China
Throw	14.99	Melange Home	Polyester	China
Total Retail	$165.94	-23.2% from $215.94 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet	N/A
Bath towel	$9.99	Microcotton Inc.	100% cotton	India
Hand towel	5.99	DWI Holdings Inc.	100% cotton	Pakistan
Wash cloth	3.99	Kassatex	100% Egyptian cotton	China
Shower curtain	29.99	Next Creations	100% cotton	China
Bath rug	16.99	Carpet-Art-Deco	100% microfiber poly	China
Soap dish	6.99	N/A	Metal	China
Lotion pump	9.99	N/A	100% recycled glass	China
Tissue box	14.99	N/A	Resin	China
Total Retail	$98.92	+16.5% from $84.92 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$264.86	-11.96% from $300.86 in 2009

Target
Opening Price Point

Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
* Only one price point available in this category. **Two individually packaged shams at $9.99 each, $19.98 for two. ***Two individually packaged shams at $24.99 each.
Queen sheet set	$24.99	Target Corporation	Cotton/Polyester	China
Queen bed-in-a-bag	79.99	Peking Handicraft	Polyester/Rayon	China
Pair of standard shams**	19.98	Target Corporation	Cotton/Polyester	Bahrain
Dust ruffle	17.99	Target Corporation	Cotton/Polyester	Bahrain
Queen quilt	49.99	Target Corporation	Cotton	China
Queen blanket	14.99	Target Corporation	Cotton	China
Throw	9.99	Target Corporation	Polyester	China
Total Retail	$217.92	+3.3% from $210.93 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet*	$19.99	Target Corporation	Cotton	India
Bath towel	3.99	Target Corporation	Cotton	China
Hand towel	2.99	Target Corporation	Cotton	China
Wash cloth	2.49	Target Corporation	Cotton	China
Shower curtain	9.99	Target Corporation	Cotton	Pakistan
Bath rug	12.99	Target Corporation	Nylon	USA
Soap dish	3.99	Target Corporation	Plastic	India
Lotion pump	4.99	Target Corporation	Plastic	Taiwan
Tissue box	14.99	Target Corporation	Plastic	China
Total Retail	$76.41	+54.1% from $49.58 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$284.34	+9.1% from $260.51 in 2009
Top Price Point
Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Queen sheet set	$69.99	Target Corporation	Cotton	India
Queen bed-in-a-bag	99.99	E & E Co.	Cotton/Polyester	China
Pair of standard shams***	24.99	Value Source Int'l	Cotton	China
Dust ruffle	49.99	Springs	Cotton	China
Queen quilt**	89.99	Sunham	Cotton	China
Queen blanket	49.99	Target Corporation	Polyester	China
Throw	27.99	Target Corporation	Acrylic/Polyester	China
Total Retail	$437.92	+4.5% from $418.93 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet*	$19.99	Target Corporation	Cotton	India
Bath towel	11.99	Target Corporation	Cotton	India
Hand towel	9.99	Target Corporation	Cotton	India
Wash cloth	8.99	Target Corporation	Cotton	India
Shower curtain	34.99	Target Corporation	Cotton	China
Bath rug	25.99	Target Corporation	Nylon	USA
Soap dish	9.99	Target Corporation	NA	China
Lotion pump	14.99	Target Corporation	NA	China
Tissue box	19.99	Target Corporation	NA	China
Total Retail	$156.91	+16.7% from $134.42 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$594.83	+7.5% from $553.35 in 2009

Wal-Mart
Opening Price Point

Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
*Queen size **Only one price point available in this category.
Queen sheet set	$29.00	Wal-Mart	Poly/Cotton	India
Queen bed-in-a-bag	44.96	Wal-Mart	Poly/Cotton	Pakistan
Pair of standard shams	7.00	Wal-Mart	Cotton	Pakistan
Dust ruffle*	16.00	Wal-Mart	Poly/Cotton	China
Queen quilt	39.88	Wal-Mart	Cotton	China
Queen blanket	17.88	Wal-Mart	Cotton	Brazil
Throw	14.00	Northwest Co.	Polyester	China
Total Retail	$168.72	+34.2% from $125.74 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet**	$6.00	Wal-Mart	Cotton	India
Bath towel	1.50	Wal-Mart	Cotton	Pakistan
Hand towel	1.50	Wal-Mart	Cotton	Bangladesh
Wash cloth	1.50	Wal-Mart	Cotton	Pakistan
Shower curtain	10.96	Wal-Mart	PEVA	China
Bath rug	9.50	Wal-Mart	Cotton	USA
Soap dish	4.00	Wal-Mart	Plastic	China
Lotion pump	6.00	Wal-Mart	Plastic	China
Tissue box	NA
Total Retail	$40.96	-37.6% from $65.68 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$209.68	+9.5% from $191.42 in 2009
Top Price Point
Bedding	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Queen sheet set	48.88	Wal-Mart	Cotton	India
Queen bed-in-a-bag	89.96	Wal-Mart	Poly/Cotton	China
Pair of standard shams	20.88	Wal-Mart	Cotton	India
Dust ruffle / bedskirt	19.50	Wal-Mart	Polyester	China
Queen quilt	68.88	Wal-Mart	Poly/Cotton	China
Queen blanket	19.82	Wal-Mart	Polyester	China
Throw	20.00	Northwest Co.	Polyester	China
Total Retail	$287.92	+3.8% from $277.40 in 2009
Bath	Price	Manufacturer	Construction	Country
Bath sheet**	6.00	Wal-Mart	Cotton	India
Bath towel	9.00	Wal-Mart	Cotton	India
Hand towel	7.00	Wal-Mart	Cotton	India
Wash cloth	5.00	Wal-Mart	Cotton	India
Shower curtain	24.96	Wal-Mart	Poly/Cotton	China
Bath rug	22.00	Wal-Mart	Nylon	USA
Soap dish	7.00	Wal-Mart	Plastic	China
Lotion pump	10.00	Wal-Mart	Plastic	China
Tissue box	NA
Total Retail	$90.96	-20% from $113.72 in 2009
Total Market Basket	$378.88	-3.2% from $391.12 in 2009

High Fliers ...
Highest priced item in top-tier basket (all sizes queen)

Macy's	Queen Bed in a Bag	$400.00
JCPenney	Queen Bed in a Bag	285.00
BBB	Queen Bed in a Bag	249.99
Kohls	Queen Bed in a Bag	149.99
Kmart	Queen Bed in a Bag	103.99
Target	Queen Bed in a Bag	99.99
Wal-Mart	Queen Bed in a Bag	89.96
Big Lots	Queen Bed in a Bag	59.00
Marshalls	Queen Sheet Set	49.99
Family Dollar	Queen Bed in a Bag	48.00

... and Low Riders
Least expensive item – the wash cloth

* Soap dish.
Family Dollar	$0.50
Big Lots*	1.00
Kmart	1.19
Kohls	1.49
Wal-Mart	1.50
Marshalls	1.99
Target	2.49
BBB	2.99
JCPenney	4.99
Macy's	7.00

The High/Low
$ difference between the highest and the lowest priced items in the baskets

Macy's	$393.00
JCPenney	280.01
BBB	247.00
Kohls	148.50
Kmart	102.80
Target	97.50
Wal-Mart	88.46
Big Lots*	58.00
Marshalls	48.00
Family Dollar	47.50

Methodology For the 2010 Market Basket Report, HTT editors visited stores in the metro New York and Miami areas between March 22 and April 7. Only items tagged at everyday prices were included in the survey; sales or clearance items were not used. The following stores were surveyed: Bed Bath & Beyond, New York City Big Lots, West Babylon, N.Y. Family Dollar, Lindenhurst, N.Y. JCPenney, Jersey City, N.J. Kmart, New York City Kohl's, Massapequa, N.Y. Macy's, Miami Marshalls, Miami Target, Jersey City, N.J Wal-Mart, Farmingdale, N.Y.