New Aftermarket Business World Study Finds Auto Parts Resellers Optimistic About 2014 Sales

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - March 11, 2014 - 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 study by Aftermarket Business World that reports resellers had a good year in 2013 and most expect to do even better in 2014.

According to the Aftermarket Business World Reseller Product Study, 34 percent of respondents said sales were about the same in 2013 as they were in 2012 while 56 percent said sales improved. Of those, 22 percent said sales increased 1 to 5 percent, 14 percent said sales increased 6 to 10 percent and 9 percent said sales increased 11 to 15 percent. Only 10 percent said their sales dropped in 2013.

Resellers surveyed are optimistic about 2014 sales as 65 percent expect to sell more products in 2014.  Some 29 percent expect 2014 sales to be flat and 6 percent expect sales to decrease this year.

“Quality is the most important attribute of resellers’ professional customers, followed by OEM form, fit and function, availability and price,” said Bruce Adams, managing editor, Aftermarket Business World. “For their DIY customers, price was the most important attribute, according to 55 percent of respondents.”

Some 61 percent said they make none of their sales online, while 4 percent said they sell more than 20 percent of their products online.

Resellers’ favorite sources of product information and news are industry publications (26 percent), manufacturers (23 percent), and WDs or jobbers (19 percent).

The Reseller Product Study was fielded to readers of Aftermarket Business World via email. Survey results are intended to show general market trends, not statistical certainties, as results were garnered from a small sample audience.

If you’d like to schedule an interview with Bruce Adams, contact Boris Chernin, marketing director, at 310-857-7632 or email Boris at bchernin@advanstar.com.

Advanstar Automotive Group

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.