Staffing continues to hamper retail shops

CALDWELL, Idaho — Ryan Goff, co-owner of Roger's Tire Pros & Auto Care Center in Caldwell and Meridian, Idaho, said consumers have been accepting of prices increases he's instituted in his tire retail stores, but the biggest challenge is finding qualified workers.

Roger's Tire Pros is among more than 600 franchise locations under American Tire Distributors Inc.'s (ATD) Tire Pros marketing group banner.

Goff, who chairs the Tire Pros National Dealer Council, shared his perspective on business so far this year.

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How would you describe business thus far in 2022?

While sales were slightly lower to start the year, we are seeing continual growth in 17-inch sizes and above. As a whole, Tire Pros dealers are seeing a lift in revenues since inflation has raised the cost of tires and auto parts.

The unemployment rate in Idaho is low, and I'm confident sales will remain strong throughout the rest of the year.

Why is important for ATD/Tire Pros to support the Gary Sinise Foundation?

On a personal level, it's very important to me that we support the Gary Sinise Foundation. My father was a military veteran, so supporting this cause is extremely important.

I also have four military veterans employed at my locations. By supporting the foundation, it provides the opportunity to give back to first responders at the local level. Without Tire Pros, I wouldn't be involved with an organization that makes such an impact.

How has consumer buying behavior changed this year?

Because new and used cars are particularly expensive right now, consumers are focused on fixing their cars as opposed to buying new. We're seeing that most people are spending money on services and will come back when they need new parts.

As we look ahead to the rest of the year, I'm expecting a strong second half for tires in Idaho because people need to prepare for the harsh winter.

Have you been able to pass along the series of tire manufacturer price increases?

Yes, we have passed along tire manufacturer price increases for tires, mechanical labor and parts. We must do that to survive. However, since I use the Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) structure, our profit margin is not higher.

The good news here is that consumers understand the situation — they are paying more for all goods and services. They are relying on us to provide them with reliable, high-quality tires that are safe for their families.

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What do you see as your biggest challenge for the second half of the year?

Staffing is our top priority. We are taking a proactive approach to fill positions to keep a full staff at all times. For example, I keep multiple job postings open and regularly set up interviews with potential candidates.

Tire Pros has helped by creating a relationship with software platforms, like Career Plug and Transitiv, making it easier to find qualified employees.

Retention is also top-of-mind as we navigate this new labor environment. New hire on-boarding is made easier with our training platform, Spark. The content is tailored to each role, so it's especially helpful for those without industry experience.

The addition of ASE certification content has also made it easier to prepare staff for those seeking their ASE certification, and we've seen more and more employees receive their certification across Tire Pros.