In the AutoZone

AutoZone (Memphis, Tenn.) announces the opening of its 3000th U.S.location, in Cicero, Ill. The new store is patterned after theAutoZone prototype: a customer-oriented, brightly lit auto parts shopwith colorful displays.

The retailer credits its success to its environment, onceconsidered unique to auto-related retail. “Prior to AutoZone, thetypical parts store was a dusty, dimly lit collection of badlydisplayed parts,” says Steve Odland, chairman and ceo. “Customerservice was an afterthought. We changed that.”

AutoZone also has 16 stores in Mexico. Its web site,www.Autozone.com, provides repair information and auto/truck parts.