Market Snapshot

More Than Half of Industry Retailers Report Higher April Sales Than in 2009

  Retail-Pep Boys
  Retailers are feeling pretty good about sales prospects for the upcoming summer months.

It's a small sign, but encouraging nonetheless: a SEMA-sponsored survey of nearly 500 specialty-equipment retailers finds that 53.2% reported higher year-to-date sales through April 2010 compared to last year. Less than a third (30.9%), meanwhile, reported flat sales.

The latest SEMA Financial Benchmarking Report also finds retailers in a fairly upbeat mood, with 49.6% predicting sales increases for the summer months. That’s almost a 20% jump compared to last year’s outlook. Large retailers are most optimistic, with 75% predicting up sales, versus just 38.2% of smaller retailers sharing the same sentiment.

Retailers surveyed included retail stores, repair service shops, WDs, Internet sales sites and mail order, among others. Of market segments that retailers sell to, almost half (48.3%) sell truck/SUV products, while 38% sell wheel and tires, and exterior accessories, respectively.

To learn more about how financial benchmarking can help your business, read our article in the June issue of SEMA News

For a comprehensive list of SEMA Financial Benchmarking reports, please follow this link