CSK Auto Tries Discount Retail in New Venture

CSX Auto, the Phoenix company that owns and operates 1,130 auto parts stores in 20 states, has gone full throttle into a new retail business that it plans to expand across the country. CSK's business plan calls for it to have 10 Pay N Saves open in Arizona by the end of this year. Next year, the push will begin to put the stores in different markets across the country.

From The Business Journal of Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ — CSX Auto, the Phoenix company that owns and operates 1,130 auto parts stores in 20 states, has gone full throttle into a new retail business that it plans to expand across the country.

The company began opening Pay N Save stores this spring, and three locations now are peddling wares such as 8-foot garden windmills, treadmills, fishing gear, gazebos, flagpoles, bar stools, generators, water fountains, lawn tools, mowers and water toys. A fourth store is planned to open in August.

CSK’s business plan calls for it to have 10 Pay N Saves open in Arizona by the end of this year. Next year, the push will begin to put the stores in different markets across the country.

CSK Auto is a $1.5 billion company that operates Checker Auto Parts, Schuck’s Auto Supply and Kragen Auto Parts stores. The company began Pay N Save because it saw a void in the market for a convenient, easy-to-shop alternative to the mega-store hassle.

Aarin Centner, Pay N Save’s district manager, said Scottsdale and Surprise are the likely targets of new store launches.

“We want to make sure we’re positioned in the whole Valley,” he said. Centner, who has been with CSK for 10 years, previously as a district manager for the company’s auto parts stores, describes the Pay N Save concept as a “mini Costco meets a tool store meets a Michael’s.”

Pay N Save doesn’t ask customers to pay a membership fee or buy in bulk. And don’t refer to the company as being similar to a Big Lots. Pay N Save doesn’t do closeouts.

Pay N Save’s merchandise constantly is changing, meaning something in stock one day may never appear on the store’s shelves again.

“We have a team of buyers, including a buyer in China, and we are good importers,” Centner said.

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