Auto parts retailer AutoZone
Aftermarket thoughts
Economic recession has gripped consumers, compelling them to hang on to their old cars and keep them in shape rather than purchase new ones. So in a way adverse economic conditions have worked to the advantage of aftermarket and auto parts retailers such as AutoZone.
Peers O'Reilly
Stellar quarter
Revenue for the largest auto parts retailer rose 7% to $1.9 billion for the quarter, helped by a sharp increase in domestic commercial sales as consumers chose to maintain their cars. AutoZone's domestic same-store sales rose a striking 4.6%. While commercial sales grew a staggering 23%, its other businesses, which include its diagnostic-software unit ALLDATA and e-commerce, rose 9.6%.
The company has also been widening its global presence. Along with expanding operations in the U.S., AutoZone has spread its wings in Mexico and Puerto Rico. These expansions have been fruitful as they have helped AutoZone drive top-line growth. During the quarter, AutoZone opened 17 stores in the U.S. and two in Mexico, taking its total global store count up to 4,832.
AutoZone will take forward its "1Team Driving our Future" operating theme into the new year. In an effort to return value to its shareholders, it bought back 954,000 shares in the quarter and still has $659 million left in its current share repurchase plan. The strong overall performance this quarter is hopefully a good sign for the new year.
Of course there are other promising retail investments as well, including one that has hardly been noticed by the Street. We love it so much that we've dubbed it The Motley Fool's Top Stock for 2012. We have compiled a special free report for investors to uncover this stock today. The report is 100% free, but it won't be forever, so click here to access it now. Enjoy, and Fool on!