Opinion/Commentary - Aftermarket Business - Wholesaler, retailer automotive parts
Survey
How do you use April's Car Care Month?
I offer vehicle inspections at my shop.
I am a distributor and I encourage increased sale of vehicle maintenance parts.
I hang Car Car Month signage and have pamphlets available to customers.
I host lane-check events or Car Care Fairs.
Other
I do nothing for Car Care Month.
I offer vehicle inspections at my shop.
12%
I am a distributor and I encourage increased sale of vehicle maintenance parts.
19%
I hang Car Car Month signage and have pamphlets available to customers.
16%
I host lane-check events or Car Care Fairs.
2%
Other
14%
I do nothing for Car Care Month.
37%
View Results
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Opinion/Commentary
Source: Aftermarket Business

Smart driving, sales push

March 11, 2010

You might not have heard about the Department of Transportation's IntelliDrive program, but it holds great promise for a new category of aftermarket retail sales.

Source: Aftermarket Business

Reviewing the math

March 8, 2010

Automotive News reports that the 86,000 independent repair shops in the United States will be the beneficiaries of $5 billion in business spurred by dealership closings.

Source: Aftermarket Business

Marketing re-direct

March 8, 2010

Last month I started an examination of marketing in the aftermarket by explaining "zero-based marketing." Briefly, it is the practice of starting from a "zero base" and analyzing marketing programs for future relevance in terms of their potential contribution toward a measurable goal. Budgets for zero-based marketing are built around what will be required for the upcoming period, regardless of allocation

Source: Aftermarket Business

The investor gamble

March 5, 2010

Investor sentiment toward O'Reilly Auto Parts, as well as many other parts retailers, has grown negative over recent months, in our opinion. From July 30, 2009 (when shares of O'Reilly hit a high of $42.29) until Feb. 9, 2010, the Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P) appreciated 8 percent, and the consumer discretionary segment of the S&P is up 15 percent. In contrast, shares of O'Reilly have declined 8 percent, Advance Auto Parts is off by 12 percent and only AutoZone managed to post a modest gain (2 percent).

Source: Aftermarket Business

Keep the money coming

March 4, 2010

I have been in this business for a long time. I've seen recessions and depressions. I've witnessed things I never thought I would see. Before I continue, I will say I've never seen the auto parts business this topsy-turvy. As a result, we have instituted a few changes to help us survive and possibly prosper.

Source: Aftermarket Business

Wal-Mart's great wall

March 3, 2010

Years ago I told – maybe more like warned – readers that Wal-Mart wanted it all. It wasn’t going to settle for just selling groceries, electronics, sporting goods, furniture, toiletries, jewelry, household goods, furniture, cadavers (not really – just wanted to see if you were paying attention) and auto parts.

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