The retail sector dominates our round-up of top news items this week. Leading the list is AutoZone, which announced that it has been awarded a three-year supply contract with the State of Kansas. The contract, which commenced on Jan. 1, will give state agencies and local municipalities in the State of Kansas the opportunity to purchase all products included in the contract at reduced cost. In a press release issued Tuesday, AutoZone said the contract was part of a multi-vendor award.
One of its competitors, Advance Auto Parts, this week announced a restructuring of its executive management team. Jim Wade, previously Advance’s executive vice president, customer development officer – Commercial, has been named president of the Virginia-based retailer. Kevin Freeland, who previously served as the company’s executive vice president, Merchandising, Supply Chain and Information Technology, has been named chief operating officer. Both will report to Darren Jackson, who retains his role as chief executive officer. In conjunction with the restructuring, Advance also announced that Elwyn Murray, executive vice president and customer development officer – DIY, will resign at the end of February to pursue other opportunities.
The latest news from the Car Care Council spells good news for the automotive aftermarket. Results of vehicle check-up events at community car care events across the country in April and October 2008 revealed that 80 percent of vehicles need service or parts. An analysis of vehicle inspection forms, submitted from event coordinators in several states, shows that 80 percent of the vehicles checked during National Car Care Month in April and Fall Car Care Month in October needed parts replacement, service or fluids. Nearly one out of every 10 vehicles had the check engine light on. The top problem areas were motor oil, windshield wipers, air filters, belts and hoses and lights, says the Council.
As the above report shows, wiper blades are a commonly needed replacement item, and Trico has just added a new blade to the array of options on the market today. The Trico Visionall Wiper Blade is the newest addition to the company’s complete line of metal wiper blades. Designed with an aerodynamic steel frame, the Visionall blade has been engineered for better wrap on highly curved windshields. It will be available in 11" – 28" lengths with pre-attached universal adaptor, which fits 98 percent of vehicles.
The last item on our list of the top-five stories on aftermarketNews this week comes from CARQUEST, which announced that its Exploris store management solution has been successfully installed in 1,000 independent and locally owned CARQUEST Auto Parts Stores. This is in addition to 100 percent of all JV stores converted to Exploris, which is a private label version of WHI’s Nexpart Distribution Management solution.
