2 Major Auto Parts Chains Will Open Hundreds of New Locations—Here’s When and Where
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Auto parts retail chains like Advance Auto Parts and AutoZone are there for you when a YouTube tutorial goes haywire. A majority of these retailers serve both professional technicians (on and off-site) and do-it-yourself customers, meaning you can find air filters, brake fluid, bulbs for tail lights, and more—or if you’d rather, you can hand off your vehicle to a trained mechanic. Either way, the good news is that hundreds of these stores are set to open across the U.S. in 2025.
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More than 130 new Advance Auto Parts stores are coming.
Advance Auto Parts has announced plans to open more than 130 new locations by 2027. The news comes just two months after the auto retailer revealed it would be shuttering at least 700 of its roughly 4,500 stores nationwide. In a March 26 press release, Advance Auto Parts said optimizing its retail footprint was a “key” step to repositioning itself for future success. Now, the company is focused on “returning to growth.”
In 2025, Advance Auto Parts intends to launch 30 new locations across the U.S.—including in Florida, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The long-term goal is to open at least 100 additional new locations by 2027.
The chain is also prioritizing the expansion of its “market hubs” in the Midwest. These locations carry 75,000 to 85,000 vehicle parts, which is about three to four times the amount available at a local Advance Auto Parts store. Not only will this increase inventory access for self-fixers (e.g. if you want to replace your own windshield wipers), but it means there will be more local Advance Auto Parts technicians as well. Plus, market hubs can provide same-day delivery of parts to nearby shops.
As for existing Advance Auto Parts shops, the chain is investing in store repairs, improved inventory and delivery, better technology and equipment, and more. Furthermore, employees are undergoing “enhanced customer experience” training.
“Advance Auto Parts is on the path to accelerate store growth and focused on the fundamentals of selling auto parts,” said Shane O’Kelly , president and chief executive officer, in a statement shared with Best Life . “We are excited about what’s to come for Advance. Our team members are committed to providing the right parts and the right service for our PRO and DIY customers in their communities.”
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Nearly 200 new AutoZone shops could pop up in 2025.
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AutoZone saw a 2.1 percent increase in net sales, totaling $4.3 billion, according to a first quarter earnings report . Last year, the retailer opened more than 30 new locations globally, including in the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil. AutoZone currently operates 6,455 U.S.-based stores, making it “the leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories.”
According to economy blog Seeking Alpha , AutoZone has recorded a 20 percent compound growth rate over 30 years, and despite the recent tariffs imposed by President Trump on top of other financial risks, the chain is going forth with its plans to expand. In 2024, the auto service chain added 51 domestic and 28 international locations to its portfolio, including two new distribution centers in the U.S.
Seeking Alpha reports that AutoZone plans to establish 100 new international locations, with a majority based in Mexico and Brazil. The blog projects roughly 65 new stores in the U.S. to open in 2025. This would bring “the total store count growth rate around 3% for the year.”
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AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts are among top five car shops across the U.S.
By the numbers, the largest auto parts stores in the U.S. are clearly defined by two main competitors: AutoZone and O’Reilly Auto Parts, with Napa Auto Parts trailing closely behind in third place. Data site ScrapeHero compiled the following list to analyze how the top car shops in America square up against one another.
- AutoZone (6,451 stores)
- O’Reilly Auto Parts (6,192 stores)
- Napa Auto Parts (5,604)
- Advance Auto Parts (4,478)
- Discount Tire (1,176)
Other successful vehicle service shops that didn’t make the top five include Carquest, Pep Boys, Fisher Auto Parts, and AutoNation.
Big Lots Is Opening Remodeled Stores Next Month—Here’s Where
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If you’re confused about what’s going on with Big Lots , you’re definitely not alone. The discount retailer has been yo-yo-ing back and forth for several years about its closure plans. But here’s the latest: After being “saved” by liquidation firm Gordon Brothers Retail Partners in January, the plans suggested that between 500 and 600 of Big Lots’ remaining 870 locations would close. As for the remaining stores, they’re reportedly being remodeled, and these improved outposts will reopen in four waves, the first of which is set for April.
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It’s been a long road for Big Lots.
Big Lots first began closing stores in 2022 , but things really took a turn for the worst this past September when they filed for bankruptcy. There was a brief glimmer of hope when Nexus Capital entered the picture to buy the company, but that deal quickly fell through.
Then, just before the end of 2024, Gordon Brothers Retail Partners came in with another offer to buy Big Lots, and this one stuck. The deal stipulated that Gordon Brothers would sell off hundreds of store leases and transfer the remaining Big Lots locations and company assets to Variety Wholesalers, Inc.
Many Big Lots locations are still closing.
At the end of January , Gordon Brothers released its Phase I list of 496 Big Lots locations set to close, with the majority in Texas (72), New York (49), and Florida (44). “The new-to-market stores are primarily located in shopping centers across 47 states and range in size from 18,963 to 54,933 square feet,” Gordon Brothers wrote on their website at the time.
A week later, the list expanded by 150 additional locations in Phase 2 of the plan. As Best Life reported , we counted 544 total locations set to close, though other reports vary.
Stores on the chopping block have already commenced going-out-of-business sales. A banner on Big Lots’ website reads, “All Stores Closing! Final Days! Save Now 50%-80-% Off Entire Store.” A previous restructuring website has been taken down.
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Remaining Big Lots stores are being remodeled and reopened in four phases.
As for the lucky Big Lots stores that aren’t closing, Variety Wholesalers confirmed to Fast Company that they will reopen some of the roughly 200 stores that they acquired. This will happen in four phases between April and June.
Variety’s vice president of sales and marketing, Jeff King , told Fast Company that nine southern locations are currently being remodeled. They will have soft openings on April 10 with “new categories of merchandise.” The locations are:
- Mount Sterling, Kentucky
- Metairie, Louisiana
- Tupelo, Mississippi
- Pearl, Mississippi
- Asheboro, North Carolina
- Clarksville, Tennessee
- Gallatin , Tennessee
- Dickson, Tennessee
- Roanoke, Virginia
