It’s a difficult time to be a legacy retailer these days. 

While times might have been good a few years — or decades — ago, things have certainly changed.

Related: Another discount retailer closing over 1,000 stores

Take, for instance, traditional brick-and-mortar stores. 

These stores, which operate in-person, rely heavily on foot traffic. Those face-to-face interactions are critical for profit, since many of these operations don’t have the technology, reach, or need to scale up for e-commerce. 

But this means that if — or when —foot traffic takes a dip, these stores are suddenly left extremely vulnerable. 

Such is the case with many regional retailers that rely on a given population’s steady patronage. 

As long as they maintain brand trust, popularity, and necessity, these stores are able to run profitable businesses to benefit a community.

But when larger competitors or shifts in industry trends disrupt things, these retailers are often among the first to fall.

It’s hard for mom-and-pop auto parts retailers to keep up with competitors like Amazon.

Image source: Getty Images

Changing industry trends disrupt retail

Of course, one of the most disruptive trends is the rise of online shopping, which benefits consumers far more than it does most legacy retailers. 

For customers, widely available goods is a positive thing. Most of us know what we’re looking for when we surf the web (or we can do research online to educate ourselves). 

More closings:

• Iconic retail chain closing nearly 500 stores
• Another discount retailer closing over 1,000 stores
• Another struggling mall retail chain closing more stores

From there, many of us compare prices to find the best deal and fastest delivery. All of this can be done without needing to grab the car keys or put on a real pair of pants. 

For retailers, though, it’s a different story. The e-commerce game is vastly different and often requires more cash and a different skillset to elbow your way in and compete with the online giants. 

Consider how hard it would be for a 70-year-old mom-and-pop shop to list all its inventory online, target the precise demographic interested in its wares, run and maintain a website, and vie for the SEO of a giant like Amazon. It’s a nearly impossible task.

Struggling auto parts chain closing stores

This is partly what’s happened to A&A Auto Parts, a Pennsylvania-based auto supply retailer that has been in business since the 1950s. 

As pressure from online competitors rises, the company has found it nearly untenable to remain operational and turn a profit.

Related: Iconic retail chain suddenly closing down store after job cuts

A&A Auto Parts announced it will shutter nine of its 10 stores in the following locations: 

• Moosic
• Scranton
• Hazleton
• Bloomsburg
• Dallas
• Peckville
• Selinsgrove
• Allentown
• Honesdale

Its single flagship store, which was the original location at 1575 Wyoming Avenue in Exeter, Penn., will remain open. 

“This decision reflects the ongoing challenges faced by A&A Auto Parts in an increasingly competitive retail environment. The rise of e-commerce, shifts in consumer behavior, and broader economic pressures have all contributed to the challenges experienced by the business,” the chain said of the closures.