The Knot Announces 2009 Registry Study

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The Knot Inc. KNOT, the owners of The Knot Wedding Network (which includes the Internet’s most-trafficked wedding websites and communities, TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com) deliver the latest installment of The Knot Market Intelligence Bridal Series with this year’s Bridal Registry Study, tracking the $12 billion registry industry.

This recent survey of over 12,500 couples with 2009 wedding dates captured detailed feedback on wedding registry decisions, including influences, products, and retailer choices, made during the registering process.

“Once again, we are delighted to present a holistic look at the registry process from start to finish,” said Miriam Alexander Vice President, Head of Insights and Analytics of The Knot Inc. “The response to our first survey proved that there is a real need in the marketplace for this kind of comprehensive examination. With our access to brides nationwide, we are uniquely suited to provide these relevant insights and look forward to sharing them with industry stakeholders.”

2009 BRIDAL REGISTRY STUDY HIGHLIGHTS

THE INTERNET PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN MULTIPLE WAYS

• ONLINE REGISTRY SET-UP & MANAGEMENT CONTINUE TO GAIN POPULARITY: In-store wedding registry set-up still dominates (57%), but the new study reveals couples continue to move toward the web for their initial registry set-up needs (33% in 2009 vs. 29% in 2008). And when it comes to managing their registry over the course of their engagement, the majority of couples use the Internet exclusively (69%).
• INTERNET IS HIGHLY INFLUENTIAL: When it comes to registry influences, the Internet is the dominant media platform and shares the top spot with friends and family. These sources are influential for 80% of couples. In-store visits come in third with 45%.
• PERSONAL WEDDING WEB PAGE BECOMES A REGISTRY HUB: A couple’s personal wedding web page has become more than just a resource for day-of wedding details. Two-thirds of couples now have personal wedding web pages, which play an increasing role in the registry process. Most of these web pages are a primary resource for communicating registry information to guests. In fact, 53% of to-be-weds utilize an online wedding web page to inform their guests of their registry specifics -- a 13% increase over last year.

TOP THREE RETAILERS MAINTAIN THEIR DOMINANT POSITIONS: Nearly 70% of couples create their primary registries with Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and Macy’s. Bed Bath & Beyond leads the category with over 35% of couples choosing the store as their primary registry.

COUPLES ARE CONSCIOUS OF THE ECONOMY: Manycouples are considering their guests’ pocketbooks when registering for their wedding gifts; more than 4 out of 10 couples claim that the current state of the economy affected their registry choices.

HONEYMOON REGISTRIES GAIN TRACTION: Couples registering for honeymoons increased 50% -- 12% in 2009 compared to 8% in 2008. Other alternative registries, such as charity registries, have remained relatively stable year over year; 4% of couples set up a charity registry.

MOST POPULAR ITEM CATEGORIES: Kitchen, bed, and bath remain the most popular categories on a couple’s wedding registry (kitchen appliances/electrics, 91%; bakeware, 91%; kitchen accessories, 88%; cookware, 86%; bath items, 85%; bedding, 84%). However, other categories continue to grow, such as electronics (30% in 2009 vs. 26% in 2008) and everyday china (69% in 2009 vs. 64% in 2008). Brides are moving toward transitional china that can serve for both casual and formal occasions.

Additional highlights will be available on The Knot Market Intelligence website: TheKnotInc.com/tkmi, while complete results and custom profiles are available for purchase. For more information, please contact TKMI at insights@theknot.com. The 2009 Registry Study is the latest release in The Knot Market Intelligence Bridal Research Series. Other 2009 studies include the jewelry, bridal fashion, beauty, and health and fitness markets.

About the Survey: More than 12,500 qualified couples -- of mixed ethnicities and education and income levels -- were polled across 50 states. Wedding dates of those polled fell between January 2009 and December 2009. To qualify, a respondent had to be:

• 18 or older and engaged to be married before the end of the year
• 18 or older and married between January 2009 and August 2009

The survey was fielded in July and August of 2009 and was administered by DRI on behalf of The Knot Market Intelligence Group.

For more statistics, or to speak with an editor or with brides in your area, please contact The Knot Press Office at pr@theknot.com.

About The Knot Inc.

The Knot Inc. (NASDAQ: KNOT, www.theknot.com) is a leading lifestage media company. The Company's flagship brand, The Knot, is the nation's leading wedding resource, reaching well over one million engaged couples each year through the #1 wedding website TheKnot.com, The Knot weddings magazines and The Knot regional magazines, The Knot books (published by Random House and Chronicle), and several television series bearing The Knot name (on Style Network, Oxygen, and Comcast).

The Knot
Melissa Bauer, 212-219-8555 x1020
Public Relations Director
mbauer@theknot.com

Copyright 2009 Business Wire

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