The major flaws of 2008 — a faltering economy, lowered consumer spending and recession woes — have caused some automotive retail chains to sputter and stall, while others have accelerated and gained momentum.

Consolidation is behind the largest growth spurts — made by O’Reilly and Uni-Select — seen in the Aftermarket Business Top 40 Auto Chain Report. In the spring of 2008, O’Reilly purchased CSK Auto and absorbed the 1,327 stores reported in last year’s report, leading the company’s almost 79 percent growth through 2008. Likewise, Uni-Select consolidated with The Parts Depot among other automotive chains, bringing them a more than 21 percent reported growth.

But not all companies were so fortunate. WM Automotive in Fort Worth, Texas, saw a more than 10 percent decline in store numbers, while KOI Auto Parts lost 9.3 percent of its store share, according to the company Web site.