Aftermarket independent shop product sales and gross margins have remained steady over the past year, and expectations remain high that this trend will continue throughout 2011.
This year's Aftermarket Business World Independent Shop Product Report shows 48 percent of respondents saw sales hold steady in 2010, while another 49 percent expect this trend to continue throughout 2011. More than half of those surveyed reported the same expectations for gross margins as well.
Like this article? Sign up to receive our weekly news blasts here.Quality remains the No. 1 factor driving aftermarket product sales, survey results show, while price, OEM form, fit and function and product availability are also strongly considered before a product purchase is made.
Most shops report using between one and four product suppliers, and see one to two product turns each year. The study respondents were almost evenly split on whether or not they offered a good, better and best aftermarket product selection, with 46 percent reporting they do carry these options, while 54 percent do not.
The Internet is not a widely used tool in independent shop sales, as 88 percent report none of their sales are made through this avenue.
See full results here.
METHODOLOGY: The Aftermarket Business World Independent Shop Product Study was fielded online to all Aftermarket Business World and Motor Age subscribers who have classified themselves as such.
About the Author
Krista McNamara
Krista McNamara is the former Editorial Director for the Vehicle Repair Group at Endeavor Business Media. She oversaw five brands — Motor Age, PTEN, Professional Distributor, ABRN and Aftermarket Business World. She worked in the automotive aftermarket industry for more than 15 years.