In October 2020, retail sales at auto parts, accessories, and tire stores fell to $8.27 billion in October 2020. That’s down 3% from September’s numbers, which ended a string of month’s where sales had performed high above the long-term trend. While down from September, sales in October 2020 were still 3.1% higher than they were in October 2019.

Retail Sales at Auto Parts, Accessories, and Tire Stores

As the chart above shows, starting in June retail sales in this sector reversed the sharp plunge triggered by the lockdown, and climbed far above the long-term trend line, shown by the dotted line. Some of the strong sales from the summer may have been sales postponed from April and May, with sales now coming back to their normal range.