While car audio sales are still up over previous years, many retailers are noticing a slow down from the frantic sales pace of recent months.
Americans are returning to restaurants and making travel plans, and so they are spending less on entertainment for the home and car, say retailers.
Car audio dealers who reported seeing a slowdown this month (even though business may still be strong) include Traffic Jams, GA; Columbus Car Audio, OH; ABC Automotive, IL; Performance Auto Sound, WA; Cartunes, GA; Autosound, IN; Speed of Sound, CT; Mobile Works, CA; Westminster Speed & Sound, MD and Advanced Car Stereo, CA.
“Since the beginning of the month it’s definitely been slowing down. One of my stores is way up, but the others are closer to 2019 levels…” said Todd Hays at Columbus Car Audio. “Don’t get me wrong, we’re still busy, but not like it was. I anticipate some more of this stimulus money; there’s going to be more next month, which might give us a little spike. We’ll see.”
Biden Administration payouts for child tax credits will be issued July 15. Many households will receive $300 per month for children under six years of age and $250 for children between 6 and 17 years old.
But for now, sales are off from their highs of recent months. Cartunes Atlanta, President Richard Grimm, has seen “A little bit of a slowdown in traffic, yes. It’s kind of hard to tell…Up to the first five months of the year, every month was a record month for over 40 years in business. The last month, it feels like the traffic may be down a little bit. We’re still very busy.”
Autosound’s Harvey Wright said,“We’re definitely seeing it’s a few clicks down in traffic and phone calls.”
Jason Dubie, VP of The Progressive Group, believes sales may pick up again in mid July, after people return from July 4 holiday vacations. He agreed that sales have slowed down a bit although they are still far better than in a typical year.
Advanced Car Stereo said sales are down by about 10 percent but business is still strong. “We’re still really busy. I’m not complaining,” said CEO Tony Destefano.
A minor slowdown actually has its advantages. It may give retailers some breathing room to catch up in inventory, as products shortages remain severe. Additionally, staff at retailers have been clocking long hours, and a slowdown can provide a much needed rest.
Retail in general saw a slowdown from earlier months of 1.3 percent in May, according to the US Census Bureau, with The Wall Street Journal citing the cause as consumers venturing out of the house.
The National Retail Federation last week was quick to point out that despite the month to month drop, sales were up 17 percent over last May.
Photo: AbileneReporterNews
Pioneer, Kenwood, JVC, Alpine, Sony Radios low level to mid level are still no where to be found which makes no sense to be found because the Lower end brands are getting radios out with ease Boss, Power Acustik, Jensen etc.????????. Makes no sense.. beating on retailers being time. Subwoofer enclosure issues also big issues within the Chicagoland area.
Yes. I have noticed this since the beginning of June. It is still up but not as much. Sorry to say but we now have the normal competition for consumer’s dollars.