The recession has been officially declared, and while the aftermarket isn't being hit as hard as some markets, it is being hit. Case in point: The Top 50 Auto Chain Report. Or, as it has been amended this year in light of consolidation, the Top 40 Auto Chain Report.

Of the 40 auto chains listed, just less than half — 18 companies — reported a growth through 2008. O'Reilly topped the list with a reported 78.5 percent growth, mainly because of their acquisition of CSK Auto in the spring 2008. Ten companies reported remaining the same size compared to last year, while 11 saw declines in store counts, with WM Automotive, located in Fort Worth, Texas, seeing the biggest drop with a 10.5 percent decline.

But despite a souring economy and consolidations, the past decade in the automotive retail market has revealed some consistency in auto chain leadership and their performance, with AutoZone and Advance Auto remaining in the top two positions since 1999.

General Parts and Genuine Parts, aided by store count and profit growth, have both maintained their positions in the Top 10 alongside The Pep Boys. But bankruptcy, buyouts and declining market share have taken their toll on some companies that once led the retail charge.

The view the Top 10 Auto Chains and the top five growing and declining companies are available at search-autoparts.com, and a complete report will soon be posted and featured in the upcoming January issue of Aftermarket Business.