A couple of surveys from Deloitte Services LP show that consumers believe the economy is improving and that people are ready to shop.
About 55% of those polled say the economy is recovering from the recession. About 65% say their finances are better compared to a year ago.
Some 63% say they plan to spend more money in stores this year, compared to last year.
A recent CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. survey of more than 100 retail executives reports that retailers also believe the economy is improving and that they’re ready to expand.
About 92% of retailers plan to open shops this year.
Retail executives believe that rents will remain flat or fall through the rest of this year.
Nearly 70% say the economy is improving, but retailers aren’t expecting to reap the benefits of an improving economy for another six to 18 months.
Top Auto Dealers
Ward’s annual MegaDealer 100 list of the top automotive dealer groups ranked by sales, which is published every year in an automotive newsletter by Penton Media Inc., includes five local dealer groups.
The locals on the list include No. 17 David Wilson Automotive Group of Orange; No. 18 Fletcher Jones Automotive Group, based in Las Vegas but with the largest dealership—Fletcher Jones Motorcars—in OC; No. 50 Tuttle-Click Automotive Group in Irvine and Tustin; No. 86 Piercey Auto Group of Westminster; and No. 87 Noarus Auto Group of Garden Grove.
The list compiles the nation’s top dealer groups by 2009 revenue from new and used auto sales, parts and service, finance, body shop work and wholesale business.
David Wilson Automotive Group had $1 billion in total revenue in 2009, down 37% from 2008.
Last year’s revenue included $642 million in new auto sales for 22 dealerships, including Toyota of Orange and Newport Lexus.
Fletcher Jones had $1 billion in total revenue, down 33% from 2008. Its 2009 new auto sales was $577 million for 18 dealers.
Tuttle-Click had $482 million in total revenue, down 13.5% from 2008.
Tuttle-Click’s 2009 revenue included $231 million in new auto sales for 30 dealers, including Tuttle-Click Ford Lincoln Mercury in Irvine.
Piercey had $249 million in total revenue, down 42% from 2008.
Piercey had $165 million in new auto sales at five dealers, including Honda World Orange County.
Noarus had $249 million in total revenue, down 13% from 2008. Revenue for new auto sales was $138 million for six dealers. Its OC dealers include OC Nissan Garden Grove and OC Nissan Irvine.
The No. 1 auto dealer group is AutoNation Inc., based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. It had $10.7 billion in revenue, down 23% from 2008. AutoNation had $5.6 billion in new auto revenue for 246 dealers.
Auto Auction
Scottsdale-based Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. is working with local malls and dealers on events that will coincide with its auto collector’s auction June 25 to 27 at the Orange County Fair & Event Center.
The auction and event company is planning fashion shows with South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island.
“We want the wives to come and we want it to be fun for the families,” said Craig Jackson, chief executive of Barrett-Jackson.
Connell Chevrolet of Costa Mesa is sponsoring the road rally, which starts at South Coast Plaza. The rally will have about 100 cars.
Barrett-Jackson is one of the largest and longest running collector auctions. The family business started 40 years ago by Jackson’s father.
