Aftermarket Business World Releases New Study On Specialty Products

April 10, 2012 - 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 a new Aftermarket Business World Specialty Product Study. The study shows that when customers purchase specialty products, one-third of resellers report they are "likely" to also purchase related products; another almost 20 percent are either "very likely" or "guaranteed."

"When making specialty product purchases, quality and availability are the most important customer considerations," explained Krista McNamara, managing editor, Aftermarket Business World. "Our study showed that warranty has the least impact on buying decisions."

Approximately 40 percent of reseller respondents say that purchasing specialty products from a full-line supplier is important.

"Resellers argue these full-line suppliers have parts that are more readily available, their customers demand quality products and this is the best way to support a healthy distribution chain," said McNamara.

The study shows optimism toward the future. Specialty sales results have primarily held steady or improved throughout 2011, respondents say, and 2012 is expected to return continued strong sales, or even improvements. The same can be said for gross margins, which either held steady or saw an increase of one to five percent, and are expected to return similar results this year.

The complete results of the Aftermarket Business World Specialty Product Study are published in the magazine's March 2012 issue and can be accessed at www.aftermarketbusiness.com/specialtyresults

The Aftermarket Business World Specialty Product Study was fielded via email to specialty parts resellers who are also readers.

If you’d like to schedule an interview with Krista McNamara, contact Boris Chernin, marketing manager, at (310) 857-7632 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.