Same-store sales Sept. 2025 shows consumer spending slowdown
After a summer of sales worth celebrating, OPE dealers collectively struggled in September, according to data compiled by Constellation Dealership Software companies, including Ideal, Charter and c-Systems. We share these same-store sales reports as regularly as possible.
September slump in OPE and all of retail
Following strong sales reports in June, July and August this year, OPE dealer activity slowed dramatically in September, compared to 2024 and 2023 sales data.
National retail sales reporting
The National Retail Federation reports that total consumer spending slowed in September but remains up for the year. According to data compiled by the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor and published on October 9 this year, total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gasoline, were down 0.66% seasonally adjusted month over month but up 5.42% unadjusted year over year in September. That compared with increases of 0.5% month over month and 6.81% year over year in August.
NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said, “Amid continued economic uncertainty, consumers opted to preserve spending power in preparation for the important holiday season. While month-over-month spending data has fluctuated as consumers have reacted to changing circumstances, year-over-year gains show robust growth and signal momentum as we head into the holidays.”
Monthly OPE revenue by region
Back to the OPE details, by region; Dealers in the Western states suffered the greatest slowdown in sales, and that makes 6 months in a row of flat to negative sales growth.
OPE dealers in the Midwest, however, have enjoyed 4 consecutive months of sales gains.
OPE Data acquisition details
The OPE report is based on a group of dealers who have reported their data over the previous three years. The dealer count, wholegood unit sale count, and total sales numbers above show the actual number of dealers and total sales being analyzed.
The graph and analysis on the following pages is based on a smaller “same store” group of dealers who have submitted data each month for three years in a row.
The report is showing data from combined sales of parts in all departments, wholegood sales and service repairs.
The report is showing a year over year average with a yellow line indicating the current year performance over the previous year.
Constellation Dealership Software companies, Ideal, Charter, and c-Systems, have developed the largest database of dealership transactional sales, inventory position and task completion information. Drawing from over 1,700 dealers on a nightly basis, this data warehouse is the largest, most accurate source for dealership and market year-over-year trending information in the industry.
