As the chart below illustrates, jobbers and retailers remain on par when it comes to fill rates to shops, however 22 percent of jobbers believe they need more product coverage. Sales volume at the jobber level is also slightly lower than at the retail level, with jobbers reporting an average sales volume of $1.3 million, compared to $1.8 million, on average at the retail level.
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).
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