Retail News

Car-Tunes, Inc. Increases Average Ticket,

Projects Record Year

Words by Laura Kemmerer

Car-Tunes, Inc. is reaping the benefits of being flexible while planning ahead: According to shop owner and president Kimberly Trainer, the average ticket has gone up. The trick lies in being able to provide customers with everything they need under one roof, and by responding to the inventory shortage with the addition of products from companies like Sony, resulting in more money spent per ticket. Trainer also anticipates that this will be another record year, even beating out 2020.

“We were in the middle of building a new installation facility onto our business, and we have transitioned into the new area, and it has definitely made a very positive impact on our business. We were honored with Retailer of the Year last year,” she said.

Customers are willing to travel some distance to leave their vehicles, including boats and motorcycles, with the shop for an extended period in order to get the work done. Trainer also noted that Car-Tunes is booked out at least two months. Other than the appeal of having everything customers need under one roof, Car-Tunes is also likely to experience organic growth in its customer base. Trainer emphasized that she believes the business is also creating a new generation of customers.

“We still have something we want to do, always,” she said, adding, “but in our new installation facility, we now have a vehicle lift to make installs easier, quicker and more efficient—when we’re doing lighting installs, for example.”

In already-existing bays, Trainer said the staff is beginning a new addition, which will become a permanent fabrication room, “so everything can be contained in one area.”

She noted that consistency has been key for Car-Tunes’ success. “I think a lot of people feel the world is changing in all these different ways, but we have tried to stay as consistent as possible throughout the pandemic and continue to grow and respond with new ideas and new ways of doing business,” she said, noting that these methods encourage customers to do business with them.

Building Addition Increases Productivity & Efficiency

Car-Tunes Inc. recently completed its new installation bay, pictured here. “We are still working on the finishing touches, including additional storage, flooring and a few other odds and ends, but it is fully functional with an additional bathroom and air conditioning,” Trainer said, adding, “This makes for a huge work productivity increase especially in the steamy summer months here in the south.”