The company's principal activity is the retailing of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the united states. the product lines offered by the company includes new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, a complete line of autobody paint and related materials, automotive tools and professional service equipment. the products are sold to both do-it-yourself customers and professional installers. at 31-dec-2001, the company operated 875 stores in alabama, arkansas, florida, georgia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, louisiana, missouri, mississippi, nebraska, oklahoma, tennessee and texas. in 2001, the company acquired mid-state automotive distributors inc.