In this installment of "The Pulse," we offer a snapshot of data from Babcox Research examining the primary source of competition for jobbers, from their perspective.

According to the Counterman magazine 2009 Reader Profile:

• 53 percent of jobbers see other jobbers as their primary source of competition
• 39 percent view retailers
• 5 percent two-step WDs
• 1 percent mass merchants
• 1 percent OE dealers
• 1 percent "other"

Methodology
In September 2009, Babcox Research mailed 4,499 questionnaires to jobber and retail subscribers of Counterman magazine. More than 450 surveys were completed and returned for a 10 percent response rate. Both audiences, jobbers and retailers, were sent the same questionnaire. Babcox Research also asks similar questions of independent repair shops in its annual P.A.R.T.S. (Professional Automotive Repair Technician Survey).