Unit tire sales were up for majority of retailers

Jan. 24, 2011

For the majority of independent retail and wholesale tire dealers, 2010 was a big year -- even in addition to the price increases.

According to Modern Tire Dealer's exclusive "State-of-the-Industry Survey," nearly 60% of the retailers estimated their unit sales were up by an average of 10% last year. Almost 69% said their dollar sales were up by an average of 11%.

Wholesale distributors fared even better. More than 70% of the respondents said their unit sales were up by an average of 13%; 82.3% said their dollar sales were up by an average of 14%).

Just taking unit sales into account, 70.1% of the retailers and 83.6% of the wholesale distributors reported sales were no worse than flat in 2010 compared to 2009.

For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2010, 60.4% of the retailers and 71% of the wholesale distributors said their unit sales were up by an average of 12% and 14%, respectively.

Every quarter, MTD conducts its "State-of-the-Industry study to determine how tire dealers view the current climate conditions facting the industry. For more information about the survey, e-mail Editor Bob Ulrich at [email protected].

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