FTI Consulting Projects 4.8% Increase in Holiday Season Sales in 2006 Retail Report.

Kevin Regan, Retail Industry Expert, Available For Comment Regarding Prospects for 2006 Holiday Shopping Season

BALTIMORE -- Kevin Regan, a retail expert at FTI Consulting (NYSE: FCN), is available to comment on FTI's 2006 Retail Report, which forecasts a 4.8% increase in 2006 holiday season sales, from November 2006 through January 2007, compared to an actual increase of 6.9% in 2005.

Key factors driving FTI's projected increase for 2006 are accelerating growth in real wages and an up tick in consumer confidence - which had been dampened by Hurricane Katrina in the corresponding 2005 period. Recent weakness in housing prices tempered the projected increase slightly as consumers are slow to adjust their spending behavior to the possibility of a prolonged housing slump. Higher energy prices since early-2004 have not had a meaningful impact on total retail sales growth (excluding the automotive sector), nor will falling energy prices provide a material stimulus this holiday season. The relative impact of energy prices on America's collective household consumption decisions is notably less than it was a generation ago.

In addition to discussing FTI's holiday forecast, Mr. Regan is available for comment on the following:

* Despite many more Americans struggling financially, most retail sales aggregates have continued to grow at a healthy rate since 2004. However, higher income earners - specifically the top quintile (20%) - now account for over 40% of total discretionary spending. The spending habits and purchasing decisions of the 23 million households that comprise the top quintile of income earners have more impact on total retail sales than the combined 69 million households that make up the lowest three quintiles of income earners.

* Specific Sector Insight: The discount supercenter format may be approaching a saturation point in some regions after a decade of blistering growth; momentum in the home improvement sector continued to outpace other retail sectors through September 2006, despite a deepening housing slump; and, regardless of the enduring strength of the housing sector until recently, the furniture, home furnishings and consumer electronics sector has managed to underperform relatively for two years running due to intensifying competition, aggressive pricing, changing consumer spending priorities, cheaper Asian imports and sales migration to other store formats, mainly large general merchandisers.

Mr. Regan, a senior managing director at FTI Consulting, has 31 years experience. He assists senior management, Boards of Directors and creditors with financial and operational restructurings, loan workouts, and business planning in the retail industry.

About FTI Consulting

FTI is a leading global firm that organizations rely on for advice and solutions in the areas of forensic analysis, investigation, economic analysis, restructuring, due diligence, strategic communication, financial communication and technology when confronting the critical legal, financial and reputational issues that shape their futures. FTI delivers solutions every day through its network of nearly 2,000 professionals in offices in every major business center in the world.