Digital Auto Care Factbook & Lang Annual 2017 - 18

AUTO CARE SERVICE AND RETAIL OUTLETS
Traditionally, auto care parts, accessories and chemicals have moved through dedicated channels of distribution along DIY
(do-it-yourself) and DIFM (do-it-for-me) channels. DIY retail consumers installed or consumed products purchased in retail
outlets or over-the-counter at parts stores. DIFM consumers either go straight to a professional automotive technician,
purchasing the "job," in which they also entrust their technician to select and purchase their part or products. In some cases,
DIFM parts and products may be specified directly by the consumer, for installation by a professional.
Consolidation continues to reduce the number of service outlets at a slow, steady rate. This is reflected in the 7.6 percent
decrease in the compounded annual growth rate of specialty repair shops. Over the past decade, a large number of specialty
repair shops have been consolidated into the general repair category, which has grown by 0.4 percent annually. Another
significant change in service channel outlets is the decline in the number of motor vehicle dealers, down 3.1 percent CAGR
during the 2007 to 2015 period. Since 2007, the tire dealers category has grown by 0.9 percent annually, compared with the
rest of the service sectors, which have contracted 0.4 percent annually, over the same period.
Demands on American consumers' time have driven changes in the servicing sector. Service customers now look to get in
and out quickly and accomplish the most they can at every stop, resulting in consolidation of specialized shops into larger,
general repair centers catering to time-pressured consumers seeking "one-stop shops." Many general repair centers are also
evolving beyond fast and varied services, to offering value-added customer amenities like upgraded waiting lounges, internet
hotspots, commuter shuttles and no-cost service loaner-cars.
Within the retail channel, convenience has also become a driver. Drug store outlets, discount stores and warehouse clubs
have seemingly sprung up on every corner, growing annually at 4.7, 4.5 and 3.8 percent, respectively. The auto parts store,
which is the industry's source for auto parts and consumables, remains remarkably stable in outlet representation. Considering
the widespread consolidation of auto parts retailers in the past decade, the number of outlets has held steady at around 36
thousand units, many of which have been rebranded and upgraded over the past nine years.

Industry Service Channel Outlets
Outlet Type
Motor Vehicle Dealers1
General Repair Garages2
Tire Dealers
Specialty Repair Shops2
Gasoline Stations2
Oil Change and Lubrication Shops2
Independent Body Shops2
Total Number of Outlets
Notes:

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015*

CAGR
2007/2015

21,200
77,181
18,453
10,145
105,957
7,741
36,467
277,144

20,770
76,564
18,596
9,674
105,169
7,649
36,041
274,463

20,010
75,637
18,547
9,149
104,400
7,501
35,193
270,437

18,460
76,108
18,675
8,663
103,768
7,518
34,764
267,956

17,700
76,731
18,980
8,415
104,011
7,490
34,358
267,685

17,540
77,561
19,470
8,101
104,837
7,427
34,437
269,373

17,635
78,354
19,759
7,785
104,855
7,430
34,344
270,162

16,396
79,240
19,931
7,534
104,688
7,368
34,381
269,538

16,545
79,756
19,851
5,384
105,624
7,371
34,632
269,163

-3.1%
0.4%
0.9%
-7.6%
0.0%
-0.6%
-0.6%
-0.4%

* Preliminary. Historical data have been revised.
Some channels listed in the "Industry Retail Channels" table include outlets that also perform automotive service.

Sources: 1 NADA Industry Analysis Division

2

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Industry Retail Channel Outlets
Outlet Type
Auto Parts Stores
Department Stores
Discount Stores
Hardware Stores and Home Centers
Grocery and Convenience Stores
Drug Stores
Warehouse Clubs
Total Number of Outlets
Notes:

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015*

CAGR
2007/2015

36,224
5,018
7,364
27,320
110,652
43,648
4,408
234,634

36,152
4,975
8,062
27,211
111,033
50,413
4,578
242,424

35,708
4,936
8,164
26,770
111,455
52,918
4,669
244,620

35,409
4,852
8,249
26,434
113,508
54,471
4,662
247,585

35,583
4,906
9,351
25,527
115,027
54,709
4,828
249,931

35,702
4,894
9,380
25,097
116,328
56,411
4,992
252,804

36,065
4,839
9,299
24,707
117,851
61,064
5,652
259,477

36,444
4,758
10,188
24,522
119,014
62,300
5,827
263,053

36,522
4,697
10,476
24,289
119,364
62,804
5,956
264,108

0.1%
-0.8%
4.5%
-1.5%
1.0%
4.7%
3.8%
1.5%

* Preliminary. Historical data have been revised.
Not all department, hardware, home center, grocery, convenience, drug and warehouse club stores sell automotive products.

Sources: Auto Care Association, Bureau of Labor Statistics

18

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Digital Auto Care Factbook & Lang Annual 2017
