'E-tailing' growing rapidly — ACA study

BETHESDA, Md. (Sept. 17, 2014) — “E-tailing” is the fastest growing retail sector in the automotive aftermarket and becoming a significant revenue stream for auto parts sales, according to a new study by the Auto Care Association (ACA).

The study, “E-Tailing in the Automotive Aftermarket,” estimates that the e-tailing share of the automotive aftermarket will more than double in size by 2018, growing at more than five times the projected total aftermarket annual growth of about 3.5 percent.

Among the most common items purchased through e-tailers are braking system components, ignition and engine parts/components and glass items (including mirrors and lamps), the study shows.

This study, compiled by market researchers IMR Inc. and Martec Group, analyzes the online retail market for sales of aftermarket parts, the ACA said, and serves as the foundation for the association to provide a unified estimate of online sales within the aftermarket.

“Very little solid data existed on the size and makeup of the e-tailing channel, until now,” said ACA President and CEO Kathleen Schmatz. “This first-of-its-kind study, produced by the Market Intelligence team of committee volunteers and staff, provides unprecedented insight into e-tailing purchase behaviors across multiple industry sectors, and the impact of these trends on the entire auto care industry.”

Among the information presented are:

• Market size and growth totals of replacement parts sold via e-tailers;
• In-depth analysis of repair shops' use of e-tailing within their business;
• An examination of the DIY automotive consumer and his/her e-tailing habits.

The ACA suggests the research can be used to provide a comprehensive sizing of the online retail parts sales market; establish a single industry data point for e-tailing; understand trends in automotive parts e-tailing; set a baseline to compare against category growth; and provide benchmarks for member companies to determine online share.

The study can be purchased either in its 92-page entirety, or by module, the ACA said.

The modules are: Executive Summary; Market Size & Growth; Repair Shop/Installer Survey; and Consumer/Vehicle Owner Survey Results.

The full report costs $1,750 for ACA members and $2,750 for non-members, the ACA said, and the modules are priced accordingly.

For full pricing and ordering information, visit www.autocare.org/etailing.