U.S. winter tire sales dropped 26% in 2017

NEW YORK — Tire sales in U.S. retail stores fell 5.6 percent in 2017, with winter tire sales falling 26 percent, according to the first findings from the data analytics firm GfK Group.

These results represent the first findings from GfK's newly formed point-of-sale (POS) tracking panel to create a distribution channel for U.S. replacement tires that is statistically sound and helps reduce back orders.

"At a time of huge change — from consolidation, e-commerce, and other factors — a consistent view of the independent tire channel is essential to making smart, fact-based decisions," said Neil Portnoy, managing director of POS tracking for GfK in North America.

The U.S. tire retail market represents 62 percent of all tire sales nationwide, according to GfK. The panel collected data from more than 3,500 points of sale, providing data that for the first time allows tire manufacturers and retailers to understand countrywide trends, competitor activities, sale prices and brand market share in the replacement tire market for the first time, the company said.

The independent tire channel sold more than 137 million tires in 2017, according to the panel's data. The average selling price per tire was $135.31, up $1.21 from 2016.

More than half of the tires sold in retail stores, or 75.5 million, were passenger tires, although that sector dropped 7.1 percent in 2017 compared with the previous year, according to GfK. Leading tire sizes in the passenger market were 205/55R16, 215/60R16 and 215/55R17.

Winter tire sales totaled 2.1 million in 2017, according to GfK. The price of a set of four winter tires rose $22 in 2017 over 2016, which may be a reason for the drop in sales.

The GfK panel also found the following data:

• The average tire dealer sold 387 tires per shop per month in 2017, down 22 tires from 2016.

• Budget brand sales decreased 6.7 percent in 2017 from 2016, with an average 2017 sale price of $98.

• Sales of wheels larger than 18 inches in rim diameter increased 6.8 percent in 2017, while sales of rims smaller than 17 inches declined 9.2 percent.