Here we sit in the middle of the worst credit crunch in modern history, and on the one hand, we’re being assured that the worst of the financial part of the downturn is over. Sadly we’re assured that unemployment is nowhere near its peak, and in the United Kingdom is expected to grow from the already historic high of 2.2 million, right up to 3 million.

In the current climate drivers are cutting back on the mileage they do in their automobiles, therefore they require less and less maintenance and wear parts, and as the credit crunch continues to take effect, in particular when unemployment adds to it, there will be many drivers giving up their cars completely.

Therefore, if you’re an automotive retailer, what items should you stocking in order to maximise your turnover, and so neutralise the negative effect of the credit crunch on your income?

Well, universal wear-parts and consumables are always good sellers, and as the credit crunch deepens, more and more people switch to carrying out their own simple repairs. That means that bulbs are an excellent item to stock. There aren’t too many different part numbers to fit the entire range of automobiles on the market. Wiper Blades are the same. Not too many types cover the whole market, they’re easy to change, and often need replacing. It’s a similar situation with parts like Oil and Air Filters, Spark Plugs etc., as drivers begin to do their own simple repairs.

As a retailer, you’ll also notice sales of car care products such as quality car shampoo and Car Care Wax will grow as drivers graduate away from using car washes as they attempt to minimise expenditure, and take steps to better maintain the condition and value of their car.

Other items to stock in a credit crunch are upgrade or luxury items like in-car entertainment and Sat Nav Systems, as well as items for personalising your car, like sports steering wheels, seats etc. These items cover a wide range of prices with the cheapest items starting at less than ten pounds, being things like Gear Stick Knobs, performance Wiper Blades or even retrofit Flat Wiper Blades. At the top of this range of products people will spend thousands on a customised interior, sports suspension, performance brakes etc , etc.

The illogical thing about a credit crunch is that sales of this type of product will hold up, or even increase. That’s because those people who are still in work often find that they have more disposable income. Interest rates drop, reducing their mortgage payments, and many commodity prices also tumble. However, because of worries about their job security, these same people are reluctant to commit to major capital spending such as buying a new car. They therefore end up keeping their car longer, and so they start to indulge themselves by spending their increasing disposable income on upgrading, updating or personalising their car.