As automakers over the past year have been playing whack-a-mole — attacking everything from COVID-19 production shutdowns, part and microchip shortages, and supply chain problems — it means there have been plenty of disruptions at the neighborhood car dealership. And that presents tire dealers with opportunity, but also some fresh challenges.
Fall is in full swing. With the way 2020 has been, even that seemed in question at times. However, we have managed to reach another change of season. And with it, business for many tire dealers will change, as well.
According to the results of our survey, demand for replacement tires was slightly better than flat in August despite greater-than-normal volatility in the sample of responses. From a volume standpoint the dealers reported they sold marginally more tires in August relative to the previous year.
According to the results of our survey, demand for replacement tires was slightly better than flat in July despite greater-than-normal volatility in the sample of responses. Indeed, from a volume standpoint the dealers reported they sold marginally more tires last month relative to the previous year, following a 1.1% increase in June and a 0.6% decrease in May.
We all have customers who are friends, probably many; however, we can’t trade on relationships alone, we must be better than that. If the customer standing in your store is a friend, don’t be offended if he or she has used their smartphone to do a little pre-shopping before they stopped in.
There is no record of the first sales transaction. Perhaps it involved one caveman selling a loin cloth to another caveman. If so, I’ll bet it was advertised as “extra soft.” That’s called salesmanship!
When looking for ways to differentiate your tire business from the competition, you tell yourself everything is on the table. Does that include green tires?