Jobber News Executive Outlook: Nick Brunet

Jobber News reached out to leaders in the supply and distribution segment of the automotive aftermarket and asked them what they see happening in the industry over the next 12 months, how the segment can leverage technology, lasting impacts, lessons learned from last year and where success will be found in 2026. We will present their answers in alphabetical order over the coming weeks…

You can view the full feature in our January 2026 issue.

Nick Brunet, President | Bestbuy Distributors

Margin pressure isn’t going away. The only sustainable response is exclusive product strategies, controlled distribution, and brand ownership.

The industry is finally moving out of “rear-view mirror” management and into forward-looking operations. AI and predictive analytics are not about replacing people — they’re about making better decisions faster.

The biggest opportunity is in inventory optimization. With the right data models, we can predict regional demand by SKU, seasonality, vehicle parc, and installer behaviour. That allows distributors to reduce overstock, protect fill rates, and materially lower carrying costs and obsolete exposure.

The last year reinforced three big truths. First, inventory discipline is non-negotiable. The days of buying heavy “just in case” are over. Second: Vendor relationships matter more than ever. The suppliers that stayed consistent on fill, programs, pricing integrity and communication gained share. Third, scale and professionalism win. Smaller operators are feeling pressure. The distributors that invested in systems, people, governance, and data are pulling away from those still operating on gut feel alone.

Success in 2026 will come from three clear lanes. One, data-driven operators will outperform. Jobbers and distributors who truly understand SKU-level profitability, installer buying patterns, regional vehicle parc and true landed costs and margin leakage will grow faster, carry less risk, and be far more valuable enterprises. Two, private label and differentiation will accelerate. Margin pressure isn’t going away. The only sustainable response is exclusive product strategies, controlled distribution, and brand ownership. Private label is no longer a budget play — it’s becoming a core margin protection strategy. Finally, service, speed and reliability will trump everything. The winning distributors in 2026 will be defined by faster fulfillment, better fill rates, fewer surprises and more consistency.