Aftermarket Business World “Top 40 Auto Chain Report” Shows Top Companies Continue To Grow

Jan. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- The Advanstar Automotive Group, a leading provider of integrated media solutions to the automotive aftermarket and collision repair industry, has released the results of the Aftermarket Business World "Top 40 Auto Chain Report." The publication's annual report shows that while the economy over the past two years has been sluggish due to one of worst recessions in recent history, the retail giants in the automotive aftermarket made it through relatively unscathed.

The detailed results of the 11th annual Top 40 Auto Chain Report, which rates the leading automotive retail chains in the industry based on store counts, are published in the magazine's January 2011 issue.

"The chains included in the top 10 for the 2010 fiscal year have held their positions since 2008, with four businesses showing store growth compared to 2009, and two others holding steady,” commented Krista McNamara, managing editor, Aftermarket Business World, about the latest survey results. "The auto chain giants of the aftermarket overall continue to have success, forcing the gap between the dominant auto chains and their small competitors to become even wider."

Memphis, Tennessee-based AutoZone continues to lead the way with 4,364 stores, while O'Reilly Automotive Inc. is second with 3,569 stores and Advance Auto Parts is not far behind in third place with 3,540 stores.  Rounding out the top 10 are General Parts International (CARQUEST), Genuine Parts Company (NAPA), The Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack, Fisher Auto Parts, Uni-Select, Replacement Parts, Inc., and Auto-Wares Group of Companies.

"While the majority of chains that made it to spots 20 through 40 of the survey list show sales and store counts that are either holding steady or seeing slight growth, it leaves many in the industry wondering if it is just a matter of time before the dominant chains begin further consolidation to wipe out their smaller competitors," said McNamara.

The “Top 40 Auto Chain Report” is available online at www.aftermarketbusiness.SearchAutoParts.com/2011Top40.

If you’d like to schedule an interview with Krista McNamara, contact Boris Chernin, marketing manager, at (818) 227-4435 or e-mail Boris at bchernin@advanstar.com.

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The Advanstar Automotive Group (www.SearchAutoParts.com) is a leading provider of integrated media solutions to the automotive aftermarket and collision repair industry, offering a portfolio of three industry leading magazines - Aftermarket Business World, Automotive Body Repair News and Motor Age; four websites including Search-Autoparts.com, the automotive aftermarket’s largest B2B website; nine e-newsletters; numerous news alerts; and 42 training manuals for vehicle industry professionals, trade buyers, and automotive enthusiasts.

Through a multi-media approach, Advanstar reaches nearly 9 million original equipment and aftermarket manufacturers, distributors, service & repair professionals, retailers, and consumers. Advanstar drives insightful news analysis, research and trends, entertainment, new product information and buying opportunities to customers at their office, home, and race track — keeping them passionate, competitive, and connected.