Auto part retailers with mobile shelving solutions

Car dealerships and auto part stores keep us all moving, but what fuels these retailers to provide the best service? According to an assessment by the Gordon Brothers Group, when comparing both the automotive and aftermarket industries in the first few months of 2014 versus the same months in 2015, retail sales rose more than 7 percent.

Retailers in the business of supplying auto parts who can execute sales plans decisively stand to gain the most, especially if they offer installation and repair services on site, as many do. Acting as both a retailer and a service provider, however, requires a strict attention to organization so neither offering depreciates in the eyes of the customer. By upgrading auto retail storage solutions, these businesses can be better equipped to balance all facets of their enterprise.

Mobile shelving and racking solutions reduce any retailer's storage footprint by 50 percent, while also strengthening organizational performance with adjustable components and customizable built-in features. How many different operations in an auto parts store can be enhanced considerably with mobile shelving?

Filing

 Auto part retailers maintain an extensive library of paperwork - the California Board of Equalization explained how, for tax purposes, these businesses must keep track of customer invoices, warranties and labor documentation, as well as data regarding how the facility recycles oil and disposes of hazardous materials. As such, an organized filing system benefits the customer as much as it does the retailer, leaving nothing to chance come tax season and ensuring all resources are accurately accounted for. Mobile shelving allows a retailer's administration team to collect as much data as it needs to stay profitable and competitive without becoming overwhelmed by paperwork.

Spare parts inventory

 If you thought formulating a system for filing was difficult enough, an auto parts inventory can be equally daunting, if not worse. For example, Toyota estimates each of its cars contains around 30,000 different parts, many of which its retailers are expected to stock for repair purposes. Though auto part retailers might make a habit out of utilizing logistics to mitigate inventory size, small items like headlight bulbs and skid plates can lead to excellent sales opportunities, provided they're readily available. When retailers use mobile shelving for inventory purposes, they not only expand the catalog of what they can retain on-site, but they put their trust in a storage system designed to preserve spare parts until they're needed.

Tire storage

 The average passenger car tire weighs more than 20 lbs, according to the Washington Department of Ecology. Stocking these products is no small feat - many standard prefabricated shelving units won't be able to bear the burden. Moreover, because of their size and shape, tires tend to withstand traditional shelving styles. If the shelves are too short, the edge of the tires may jut out, which can result in damage to the product and staff members. Mechanical-assist and electric mobile shelving options can both be fitted with basins to stand tires upright and out of harm's way, making them simpler to stock and easier to access, all while reducing storage space.

Customer-facing sales

 While many customers walk into an auto parts store looking for a replacement or a repair, on-site storage shouldn't forget about the do-it-yourself crowd. Retailers should keep in mind these gearheads are just as meticulous as the maintenance professionals under their employ. When customers come into the store to find a specific product, it had better be there. Disorganized shelves of motor oil, washer fluid and antifreeze aren't just risky - they also dissuade customers from buying. Mobile shelving creates an engaging customer experience while also limiting access to hazardous chemicals only to those who know what they're doing.

Founded in 1924, Montel is a company specialized in the design and manufacture of high-density mobile storage systems for a multitude of markets, including libraries, museums, industrial warehousing, education, healthcare, public safety, military, sports and indoor vertical farming.