PRESS RELEASE

Discount Auto Parts Announces Low Freon Sales Forecast

23 January 1997

    Discount Auto Parts, Inc. Reports Lower Anticipated Commercial Freon Sales
  


    LAKELAND, Fla., Jan. 22 -- Discount Auto Parts, Inc.
today announced that it has experienced certain disruptions in the
distribution channels for its commercial R-12 freon sales as well as wholesale
price increases for the product.  As a result, the Company presently does not
expect to make any significant commercial sales of R-12 freon during the
current fiscal quarter which ends March 4, 1997 and at least into and possibly
through the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997 which ends June 3, 1997.
Consistent with actions taken by the Company in the third and fourth quarters
of fiscal 1996, the Company may elect to make certain strategic wholesale
purchases of R-12 freon during the remainder of fiscal 1997 which product the
Company would warehouse in significant part until fiscal 1998 with an
expectation that the market and pricing for the product would be stronger at
that time.  The Company emphasized that commercial freon sales are a
relatively small part of its business and that the slowdown of such sales does
not affect the Company's core business as a leading retailer of automotive
parts and accessories in the Southeastern United States.
    As has been previously disclosed, commercial sales of R-12 freon product
have contributed to the Company's sales and earnings growth over the last two
fiscal quarters, and have accounted during such period for most if not all of
its comparable store sales growth.  Accordingly, the slowdown in its
commercial sales of R-12 freon is expected to have a somewhat negative impact
not only on the Company's overall sales performance but also on earnings for
at least the third and fourth quarters of fiscal  1997 and that financial
results can be expected to be lower than the current analysts' expectations.
Although it is too early to determine the full impact of this slowdown in
freon sales, the Company noted that approximately 9% of total sales in the
first six months of fiscal 1997 represented commercial sales of R-12 freon and
that it could be expected that earnings per share for the third and fourth
quarters could be impacted by as much as 15% or more in each quarter.
    Commenting on these announcements, Peter J. Fontaine, president and chief
executive officer, stated, "While we are disappointed with the anticipated
lower commercial freon sales, we continue to expect substantial revenue growth
in the last two quarters of fiscal 1997 over the comparable quarters in fiscal
1996.  Moreover, we continue to remain on track with our new store openings
for this fiscal year, we are excited about our new Q-Lube venture which has
previously been disclosed and which is gearing up for the roll out, and we
continue to see success from our strategy to build market share in our
principal markets including Florida.
    "Our decision to pull back on commercial sales of R-12 freon has been
precipitated by a number of recent developments.  We have recently learned
that a company in the freon distribution business that was one of our freon
customers is under federal investigation with respect to practices it may have
engaged in with its own freon customers.  Partly as a result of this
investigation, the freon customer under investigation recently filed for
bankruptcy protection.  Also, as has been widely reported, the government has
expressed concerns with respect to illegally imported and falsely labeled
freon.  We believe that in light of the recent developments and announcements
our decision to pull back, at least temporarily, on the commercial freon sales
is the prudent thing to do," Mr. Fontaine said.
    The Company also reported that at the time the above-described
investigation commenced, the Company had shipped and has not been paid for
approximately $1.0 million of commercial freon at cost that was sold to a
freon distributor but that was shipped, at such distributor's direction,
directly to a warehouse which was operated by the now bankrupt freon
distributor.  Although efforts are underway to recover amounts owed to the
Company for such freon from the commercial distributor that is not in
bankruptcy, or to recover such freon product, and although the Company is
optimistic that it will ultimately collect what is owed, there can be no
assurance.
    This release contains forward looking statements which reflect the current
views of the Company with respect to certain events that could have an effect
on the Company's future financial performance.  These statements include the
words "expects," "expected," "anticipated," "believes," and similar
expressions.  These forward looking statements are subject to various risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
historical results or those currently anticipated.  These potential risks and
uncertainties include increased competition, extent of the market demand for
auto parts, availability of inventory supply, propriety of inventory mix,
adequacy and perception of customer service, product quality and defect
experience, availability of and ability to take advantage of vendor pricing
programs and incentives, sourcing availability, rate of new store openings,
cannibalization of store sites, mix of types of merchandise sold, governmental
regulation of products, new store development and the like, performance of
information systems, effectiveness of deliveries from the distribution center,
ability to hire, train and retain qualified team members, availability of
quality store sites, environmental risks and other risks.
    Discount Auto Parts, Inc. is one of the Southeast's leading specialty
retailers of automotive replacement parts, maintenance items and accessories
for the Do-It-Yourself ("DIY") consumer.  The Company currently operates
366 stores located throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.