If you ask any business owner about their biggest competitor, most likely they will answer “the owner of the biggest competitor.” While that may sound like a funny answer, it’s actually a very good one. Your biggest competitor is the business that you are most similar to. If you are just like them, you will attract the same type of customers, which will mean that you will have to work harder to build and retain a loyal customer base.
AutoZone
While AutoZone is the leader in car parts, there are a few other options out there for quick, affordable auto glass repairs. If you’re looking for affordable car glass repair from a company that also provides other services, consider Safelite. They’re known for offering auto glass repairs at an affordable price, plus they provide oil changes, tire installations, and other car services.
Sears
With so many car dealers in the marketplace, it can be challenging to know where to turn when looking for the right auto repair shop. The two most direct competitors to Safelite are A-rated General Motors and the repair shops owned by the dealerships they sell to. Of course, there are many other options out there, too.
Pep Boys
While Pep Boys is known for its fast and affordable car care services, it also offers other services, such as windshield repairs, that compete with other brands. In addition, unlike most car dealerships, Pep Boys is not a franchise. Instead, it’s one location, with many branches throughout the country. That means there’s no need to deal with a bunch of different salespeople.
Allied Auto
Of the major auto glass repair shops in the country, none are more widely known than the original “Superstore.” Not only do they repair cracked windshields, they also sell replacement windshields. The company was founded in 1952 by Jack and Harry Goldsmith, who opened the first storefront in suburban Detroit to repair cracked windshields. Today, they still own and operate the business, and the original shop is still in the same location.
National Auto
When it comes to the top five brands of car aftermarket glass repair shops, it’s a toss up between AutoNation, CarMax, and Safelite. Of the three, AutoNation is the biggest, with a 30% market share. That’s right – 30% of car owners who need windshields replaced will go to AutoNation.
Auto Anything
The biggest competition to the auto glass repair industry is the aftermarket. For example, if you need an aftermarket windshield, you can either go to a dealership and pay a mechanic to install it or you can go to an online vendor and buy a windshield yourself. While it might seem like a great idea to save money by doing the installation yourself, the reality is that it can be an unsafe undertaking. Home installation of windshields can be incredibly dangerous, and it’s a good idea to only have professionals do the job.
O’Reilly Auto Parts
At first glance, it may seem like the biggest threat to O’Reilly Auto Parts is a brick-and-mortar retailer. However, there’s no way an online retailer could compete with O’Reilly’s efficiency. With a simple phone call or click of a button, you can schedule an appointment for an oil change or tire repair, or schedule a pickup.
Conclusion
For many customers, the brand that comes to mind when they think of a reputable shop is still the original. In order to compete, many of these shops have gone the route of large-scale automation. While this can be a quick fix to the inevitable shop needs, it can also come with a slew of other repercussions. For one, it can be incredibly expensive to maintain a large inventory. Furthermore, there’s the risk of damage to your brand when you outsource your repairs.