Seeing the Light
Stores should highlight the numerous replacement headlamp choices in order to boost sales.
An In-Depth Look
Counterman’s ranking of the 20 largest store groups in the United States remained pretty much unchanged since last year, except for one caveat: The big are still getting bigger. Comparatively, 2003 was a quiet one in the world of aftermarket distribution consolidation. Nevertheless, mergers and acquisitions continued over the last 12 months, albeit at a
An In-Depth Look
Counterman’s ranking of the 20 largest store groups in the United States remained pretty much unchanged since last year, except for one caveat: The big are still getting bigger. Comparatively, 2003 was a quiet one in the world of aftermarket distribution consolidation. Nevertheless, mergers and acquisitions continued over the last 12 months, albeit at a
Ours Is Not a Static Industry; Change Comes With the Territory
For the seventh year, the Counterman staff has determined which forces of change have the most influence on aftermarket distribution. Every year the Top 10 list goes through an intensive editorial review process during which influences are debated, reshuffled, added or eliminated. Inventory Ownership Who owns your inventory? That seemingly innocuous query has really become
A Family Affair
This year’s Counterperson of the Year, Jesse "Mac" McGinnis, has managed to create a family atmosphere at his Louisville, KY, Bumper to Bumper store, one that retains employees and keeps customers coming back. Over nearly three decades in the parts business, Mac McGinnis has made a name for himself among customers and colleagues, and
Making the Grade: Annual ASE P2 Test Prep
In this month’s issue, we mostly only address the technical aspects of the test. But there are other questions that deal with other areas such as sales, communication and inventory management. To help you, read on about certain areas you should know.
Selling the Complete Lube, Oil and Filter Job
Maintenance is the key to longevity. Your mother knew what she was talking about when she nagged you to brush your teeth after every meal. And to eat your vegetables. And to change your underwear daily whether you thought it was necessary or not. She knew that if you took good care of yourself, you’d
Maintenance Minded?
There are thousands of ways to educate the consumer about the benefits of automotive maintenance and repair. Many of the most effective ones start right at the parts counter or service facility. After all, you are the experts and the public takes your advice seriously. However, enticing the service provider to actively engage in educating
New Study Reveals Small WDs Outperform Large Ones
That’s a perfect warehouse? Warehouses come in all shapes and sizes, but the best ones have certain factors in common. A new study conducted by Georgia Tech compares the performance of 212 warehouses in a variety of industries, highlighting the leaders in productivity, accuracy, cycle times, use of technology and quality. The average facility in
Exploring Brand Value
Much like that age-old question about the chicken or the egg, this months topic begs a similar question. When it comes to parts, which do you look for first, quality or brand?
A Lesson From Southwest
Who is guilty of trying to be all things to all customers? Well, maybe we shouldnt try to be.
Parts Delivery and its Costs
Let’s be objective. Traditional jobbers spend lots of money delivering parts to independent shop owners. But too often, jobbers are spending more money than they might think.