Growth via consolidation during recessionary year This year’s condensed version of what was once Aftermarket Business’s Top 50 Auto Chain Report — now dubbed the Top 40 — is evidence of the continued consolidation that has characterized the progress of the automotive aftermarket throughout 2008. While the top 10 industry leaders remain relatively similar to last year’s ranking, one big player is missing from the equation. O’Reilly’s purchase of CSK Auto marked the most talked-about aquisition of the year, and propelled O’Reilly into the third position. Sales and store counts continue to grow and serve to remind industry participants that while the recession is not ideal for business, it is not stalling the market altogether.
Rankings 1-5: AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O'Reilly Auto Parts, General Parts and Genuine Parts
Rankings 6-10: Pep Boys, Uni-Select, Fisher, Replacement Parts, Auto Wares
Rankings 11-20: BWP, Autobacs, Hahn, Automotive Parts HQ, KOI, VIP, Merrill/Arnold, Tire Warehouse, Brooks, Pat Young
Rankings 21-30: SAE Warehouse, Auto Tire & Parts, Bond, Automotive Supply Associates, XL Parts, Baxter, WM Automotive, Joe's Sports, The Parts House, Bennett
Rankings 31-40:ABC, Knechts, Hedahls, ALPHA/ABACO, National Auto Stores, ACI Parts, R&L Warehouse, Allied Auto Parts, Distributors Warehouse, Jobbers Automotive Warehouse
Top 40 Audio Listen to audio interviews from leaders of our Top 40 chains.
Top 40 Blog By Krista McNamara, Managing Editor The recession has been officially declared, and while the aftermarket isn't being hit as hard as some markets, it is being hit. Case in point: The Top 50 Auto Chain Report. Or, as it has been amended this year in light of consolidation, the Top 40 Auto Chain Report. Of the 40 auto chains listed, just less than half — 18 companies — reported a growth through 2008. O'Reilly topped the list with a reported 78.5 percent growth, mainly because of their acquisition of CSK Auto in the spring 2008. Ten companies reported remaining the same size compared to last year, while 11 saw declines in store counts, with WM Automotive, located in Fort Worth, Texas, seeing the biggest drop with a 31.4 percent decline. READ MORE
