Powersports dealerships and salespeople alike have reaped the benefits of healthy profit margins over the last few years. However, just as the margin pendulum swung deep into seller’s market territory, it’s beginning its backward trajectory into a buyer’s market.
According to Lightspeed DMS, powersports dealers reported an overall revenue loss of 1.4 percent during the first quarter of 2023, with service showing the only positive trend. The Powersports Business Q1 Dealer Survey also reflected increasing concern for growing inventory levels in the face of mounting economic fears. Dealers are split on their outlook for the remainder of the year, with many leaning towards “somewhat worse” to “significantly worse” as compared to the end of last year. While inflation and pricing continue to worry, inventory issues have eased significantly.
Where does that leave you? It should be a dog whistle to step on the gas and start selling! I don’t mean lowering your prices or launching some gimmick. I mean empowering your sales team to dust off their selling habits, which may have been dormant for the past three years. The days of relying on ‘pent up demand’ and high margins to make quota are over. The effects of stubbornly high interest rates, lingering concerns about the economy and a potential recession are beginning to show. Your sales team likely needs a refresher course – at a minimum – or a complete training upgrade given the increasing transition to a digital sales platform.
