Advance Auto Parts 2005 Annual Report Download - page 11

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. I Annual Report 2005 I 9
In addition, we continuously assess our current store
locations and relocate older stores to new, more convenient
sites. In 2005, we relocated 54 stores. Whether to provide
easier in-and-out access or a more innovative store design,
our philosophy of regularly reviewing our store sites has
proven very successful. Our relocated stores are showing
increased foot traffic and sales, because convenience means
everything in the eyes of our Customers. In 2006, we expect
to relocate approximately 50 stores.
Our 2010 store format gives Advance Auto Parts a significant
competitive advantage that clearly differentiates us in our
industry as having the freshest and most modern store base.
We are receiving strong, positive responses to this
Customer-friendly format, which features an updated
exterior and interior, uses brighter lighting, clean graphics
and a well-designed and easily navigated floor plan.
Several years ago, we announced we would systematically
convert our stores to the 2010 format over the next several
years and we are well on our way toward this goal. In 2005,
we remodeled 189 stores, ending the year with 1,531, or
more than 54% of our Advance stores operating in this
format. We also achieved a great milestone in December
2005, when we completed remodeling all the former
Discount Auto Parts stores in Florida. In 2006, we expect to
remodel 200 to 225 stores to the 2010 format.
We also are focused on acquisitions that give us a strategic
geographic presence, as evidenced by our acquisition of
Lappen Auto Supply Company in 2005. This acquisition
added 19 locations in the greater Boston area, which is a
challenging market to enter due to limited availability of
prime real estate. We look forward to building strong
relationships with our new Customers in Boston.
We also look forward to growing relationships with many
new Commercial Customers in the Northeast through our
acquisition of 61 Autopart International locations. These
stores, which will continue to operate under the Autopart
International name, complement Advance’s commercial
model and our goal to continue expanding our commercial
presence. In 2005, we also added 247 commercial programs
to Advance stores, ending the year with a total of 2,192
Advance stores which offer commercial delivery.
As our store openings, relocations and commercial growth
this past year suggest, we understand that our Customers
are busy, with little spare time. Advance Auto Parts is
dedicated to bringing new stores closer to our Customers
and updating existing stores for a more efficient and
convenient shopping experience.
Advance Auto Parts is proud to welcome Team Members such as John Ahlman, a seven-year veteran of Lappen Auto Supply,
to our team. John is the Store Manager of our Norwood, Massachusetts store.
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Virgin Islands 2
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