News | Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

How Brick-and-Mortar Can Stay Ahead of Online Retailers

Thu, 08/04/2016 - 15:23

By Michael Hart

Online aftermarket industry sales are growing rapidly. According to one report, online aftermarket revenue was $6.5 billion last year. That report also notes that retail stores generated $30 billion in sales—proof that brick-and-mortar isn’t going anywhere. What do you need to do to guarantee your store’s sales continue to grow in the face of this digital challenge?

The 2016 SEMA Show will introduce a new retail track designed to provide ammunition to take on online competitors. The best strategy for competing with e-commerce is customized customer service. In “5 Ways Brick-and-Mortar Is Beating Online,” attendees will learn tactics to assure customers that the best way to get what they want is to come into their stores and why personalized service trumps internet shopping.

There’s a ton of information available online today about specialty equipment. In fact, maybe there’s too much information for the DIY hobbyist who must be able to visit his or her local installer, builder, tuner or restyler, and talk face-to-face about the project and how to complete it. Attendees can learn how to turn their expertise and knowledge into dollars with the session “Selling Value Is Winning Back Customers at Brick-and-Mortar Shops.”

The specialty-equipment industry isn’t the only business segment experiencing the looming threat of digital competition. Some of the basic principles of how to overcome obstacles and thrive in an e-tail economy are universal. The “Retail Perspectives: Universal Principles of Retail Success” session will show what winners in other industries—photography, music and book sellers—are doing to guarantee success in their retail outlets.

Finally, the “7 Low-Cost Design Ideas for Small Retail Spaces” session will offer good nuts-and-bolts advice on what to do with customers once they enter the store. The consumer is changing and so must a store’s interior layout. Learn some common-sense design strategies that will generate more revenue today.

Competing with an anonymous website can be tricky for brick-and-mortar store managers, so take advantage of the SEMA Show’s retail track to find out how to beat online competitors.

View complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks.

How Brick-and-Mortar Can Stay Ahead of Online Retailers

Thu, 08/04/2016 - 15:23

By Michael Hart

Online aftermarket industry sales are growing rapidly. According to one report, online aftermarket revenue was $6.5 billion last year. That report also notes that retail stores generated $30 billion in sales—proof that brick-and-mortar isn’t going anywhere. What do you need to do to guarantee your store’s sales continue to grow in the face of this digital challenge?

The 2016 SEMA Show will introduce a new retail track designed to provide ammunition to take on online competitors. The best strategy for competing with e-commerce is customized customer service. In “5 Ways Brick-and-Mortar Is Beating Online,” attendees will learn tactics to assure customers that the best way to get what they want is to come into their stores and why personalized service trumps internet shopping.

There’s a ton of information available online today about specialty equipment. In fact, maybe there’s too much information for the DIY hobbyist who must be able to visit his or her local installer, builder, tuner or restyler, and talk face-to-face about the project and how to complete it. Attendees can learn how to turn their expertise and knowledge into dollars with the session “Selling Value Is Winning Back Customers at Brick-and-Mortar Shops.”

The specialty-equipment industry isn’t the only business segment experiencing the looming threat of digital competition. Some of the basic principles of how to overcome obstacles and thrive in an e-tail economy are universal. The “Retail Perspectives: Universal Principles of Retail Success” session will show what winners in other industries—photography, music and book sellers—are doing to guarantee success in their retail outlets.

Finally, the “7 Low-Cost Design Ideas for Small Retail Spaces” session will offer good nuts-and-bolts advice on what to do with customers once they enter the store. The consumer is changing and so must a store’s interior layout. Learn some common-sense design strategies that will generate more revenue today.

Competing with an anonymous website can be tricky for brick-and-mortar store managers, so take advantage of the SEMA Show’s retail track to find out how to beat online competitors.

View complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks.

How Brick-and-Mortar Can Stay Ahead of Online Retailers

Thu, 08/04/2016 - 15:23

By Michael Hart

Online aftermarket industry sales are growing rapidly. According to one report, online aftermarket revenue was $6.5 billion last year. That report also notes that retail stores generated $30 billion in sales—proof that brick-and-mortar isn’t going anywhere. What do you need to do to guarantee your store’s sales continue to grow in the face of this digital challenge?

The 2016 SEMA Show will introduce a new retail track designed to provide ammunition to take on online competitors. The best strategy for competing with e-commerce is customized customer service. In “5 Ways Brick-and-Mortar Is Beating Online,” attendees will learn tactics to assure customers that the best way to get what they want is to come into their stores and why personalized service trumps internet shopping.

There’s a ton of information available online today about specialty equipment. In fact, maybe there’s too much information for the DIY hobbyist who must be able to visit his or her local installer, builder, tuner or restyler, and talk face-to-face about the project and how to complete it. Attendees can learn how to turn their expertise and knowledge into dollars with the session “Selling Value Is Winning Back Customers at Brick-and-Mortar Shops.”

The specialty-equipment industry isn’t the only business segment experiencing the looming threat of digital competition. Some of the basic principles of how to overcome obstacles and thrive in an e-tail economy are universal. The “Retail Perspectives: Universal Principles of Retail Success” session will show what winners in other industries—photography, music and book sellers—are doing to guarantee success in their retail outlets.

Finally, the “7 Low-Cost Design Ideas for Small Retail Spaces” session will offer good nuts-and-bolts advice on what to do with customers once they enter the store. The consumer is changing and so must a store’s interior layout. Learn some common-sense design strategies that will generate more revenue today.

Competing with an anonymous website can be tricky for brick-and-mortar store managers, so take advantage of the SEMA Show’s retail track to find out how to beat online competitors.

View complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks.

Job-Hunting? Top Automotive Jobs Here

Thu, 08/04/2016 - 15:10

By SEMA Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

Regional Sales Manager: BL Systems Inc./CEMB USA is hiring regional sales managers in various locations. This position will be responsible for coordinating activities for sales representatives, increasing the sales network in their areas, developing sales of national accounts and working with distributor sales personnel to increase and maintain business. Successful candidates will have automotive equipment industry experience and excellent writing, verbal and presentation skills. Telecommuting is allowed.
Senior Web Developer: P&E Distributors Inc. is hiring a senior web developer with the ability to develop elegantly designed back-end code to support visually rich websites and create detailed documentation. Responsibilities include interacting with project management teams to understand project scope, and working with the CEO and eCommerce department to define project specifications and document the project scope. The successful candidate must have five or more years’ experience working in a LAMP production environment and experience developing in MVC frameworks.
Technician/Mechanic: Penta Motorsports is hiring a technician/mechanic with a strong mechanical background and knowledge of all vehicle systems and the ability to service/repair brakes, driveline, engine and accessories. The successful candidate must have restoration experience, fabricating skills and a road-racing background.
Bookkeeper/Administrative Representative: VIBE Motorsports is hiring a bookkeeper/administrative representative who is proficient in QuickBooks Online, MS Office and corresponding applications. The successful candidate must have good teamworking and collaboration ability, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to complete monthly reconciliations and work with a CPA to maintain accurate books.

SEMA recently launched the SEMA Career Center to address the employment challenges of automotive companies and facilitate a talent pipeline for entering into the automotive aftermarket industry. Through an automotive network that includes the Auto Care Association, the SEMA Career Center will expand the volume and reach of job openings from automotive companies throughout the country.

SEMA Council & Network News: Vote Now for SEMA Launch Pad

Thu, 08/04/2016 - 15:08

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, trucks or wheels and tires—there’s a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit YEN's website

The top 13 young automotive entrepreneurs will participate in the fourth annual SEMA Launch Pad Presented by YEN competition.

SEMA Launch Pad Voting Now Live

From nearly 80 competitors, the top 13 young automotive entrepreneurs have been named in the fourth annual SEMA Launch Pad Presented by YEN competition. Representing new, innovative products and services in the specialty automotive aftermarket, these next-gen automotive leaders are looking for their big break to launch their businesses to the next level. Watch their short business pitches on YEN’s Facebook page, and vote today!

Your vote will decide the 10 competitors who will pitch their business to a celebrity judging panel at the SEMA Show, including automotive industry juggernauts Jim Cozzie, Ron Coleman, Jessi Combs, Brian Rowland and Dave Ziozios.

Voting ends September 1, with the live on-stage competition occurring November 2, from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., in the Las Vegas Convention Center room N258 (second floor, North Hall).

Top 13 SEMA Launch Pad Competitors – Vote Now!

Aaron Aldrich, owner, Any Level Lift
Product: Any Level Lift

Richard Baverstock, founder/CEO, Mogol Inc.
Product: Glide

Matt Corish, co-founder, V12LS.com
Product: V12 LS Engine

Steed Dolan, owner, Steeds Tech
Product: Banshee Controller

John Paul Gusewelle, COO, Metal Conditioner Squared LLC
Product: MC2/Metal Container Squared

Justin Hartenstein, president/founder, ORACLE Lighting
Product: Jeep Wrangler LED Integrated Side Mirrors

Amanda Holbert, president, Plasma Glide LLC
Product: PlasmaGlide

Bryce Hudson, owner, Grip Clean
Product: All Natural Industrial Hand Soap

Wesley Jurica, co-owner, Gigabit Games LLC
Product: CrawlrCam

Xavier Miller, owner/founder, Spultronix LLC
Product: Motorsports Electronics

Kevin Patrick, president, Exomotive LLC
Product: Exocet

Sarah Powell, COO, Turnberry Innovations
Product: CorBox and GapSaver

Irina Slavina, co-founder/general counsel, Hudway LLC
Product: HUDWAY Glass

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SEMA Council & Network News: Vote Now for SEMA Launch Pad

Thu, 08/04/2016 - 15:08

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, trucks or wheels and tires—there’s a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit YEN's website