The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews. To access the complete stories, simply click on the highlighted links. If you missed reading one of our daily news emails, click on any of the dates listed at the bottom of the page to begin catching up on the latest industry news.
The highest read article on aftermarketNews (AMN) this week featured the branding philosophies and marketing strategy of Affinia Group’s Jeff Stauffer. In our exclusive Executive Interview with Jeff Stauffer, senior vice president of global group marketing for Affinia Group, the veteran aftermarket marketing executive shared the details of Affinia’s new "1-2-3" branding strategy for the Raybestos brand.
Another highly read exclusive on AMN this week was our bi-monthly "Ask the Industry" column, sponsored by R.L. Polk & Co. For this week’s issue, we looked at the changing perceptions of offshoring or outsourcing and how many aftermarket companies today are increasingly looking outside the U.S. when sourcing auto parts.
AMN readers also learned this week of the passing of tire dealer leader Les Schwab. Schwab, one of the most recognizable and respected people in the tire industry, died May 18, in Prineville, OR. He was 89. After starting his company in 1952, he built Les Schwab Tire Centers into one of Oregon’s best-known businesses. The company now operates more than 410 stores throughout the West, with 7,700 employees, and posted 2006 sales of $1.6 billion.
Pep Boys this week released its first quarter results, which revealed a $10 million decrease in sales from the first quarter of 2006. Comparable sales decreased 2.3 percent, including a 3.1 percent comparable merchandise sales decrease and a 1.5 percent comparable service revenue increase. Despite this, new President and CEO Jeffrey Rachor said he is optimistic about future growth opportunities for the auto parts retailer.
Editor’s Note: In observance of the Memorial Day Holiday, our offices will be closed on Monday, May 28. There will be no distribution of the AMN “Today’s News” email on that day. We will resume our normal schedule on Tuesday, May 29. The staff of aftermarketNews.com wishes you a safe and happy holiday!
To view all of the news from the past week, simply click on the link for each corresponding day:
