Pros
Decent coverage in branded and private label hard parts, accessories, and softer categories. From there, the product coverage recedes in paint, body, equipment. Heavy Duty coverage ranks 50% compared to rest of the market. If someone wishes to enter the automotive aftermarket to gain some decent skills, NAPA makes a sound work environment.
Cons
Senior management is out of touch of the market dynamics. They use internal metrics and blindly follow advice from experts who seem to give evidence based and factual data. But management has an unclear idea about what or why AutoZone, O'Reilly and Federated do so much better. Management trumpets their successes on mediocre stock and earnings per share results. And yet, they ruined the retail side by cutting back on capable people. As an insider, I tell you that R. Breuaux has retreated from the retail end and put all the eggs in commercial sales. That's why NAPA's stock price as lagged behind their competitors. Meanwhile, Randy and his crazies ruined their independent business. Walker Auto Parts slid into debt. Sanel Auto Parts is now limping along.