Originally printed in the February 2016 print issue of Casual Living

Total retail sales for chat groups reached an estimated $1.09 billion in 2015, according to the 2015 Casual Living Universe Study. That’s a 6.4% increase over 2014’s sales of $1.02 billion.

Almost nine out of 10 consumers answering the 2015 Casual Living and Apartment Therapy’s exclusive Outdoor Decorating Survey have a chat group with chairs and 36% have a sofa within their group. Nearly three-fourths have an occasional table and 27% have a loveseat. One-fourth of Baby Boomers, those ages 52 to 70, and affluent consumers, those who earn more than $100,000, have an ottoman in their chat group. A fire pit accompanies the chat groups of consumers who live in the Northeast and in the West, at 35% and 30% respectively.

Casual Living and New York-based Apartment Therapy fielded an online consumer survey this May. The survey, asking readers about the outdoor spaces in and around their home, garnered responses from more than 550 consumers.

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