Advance Auto Parts Opens Its 2,500th Store

ROANOKE, Va., Oct. 2, 2003 -- Advance Auto Parts, Inc. announced today the opening of its 2,500th store in Parma, Ohio, in the Cleveland market area.

Since 1995, the Company has achieved significant growth due to strong comparable store sales increases, new store openings and strategic acquisitions. Since 1995, sales have grown at a 27% compounded growth rate from $603 million in 1995 to $3.3 billion in 2002 with industry-leading comparable store sales increases that averaged 6.8%. The increase in sales was also due to the rapid expansion in store count. In 1995, the Company operated 536 stores and today it is grand opening its 2,500th store. The increase in store count came from opening 794 net new organic stores and 1,170 net stores acquired through strategic acquisitions, including Western Auto/Parts America in 1998 and Discount Auto Parts in 2001.

"The Advance Auto Parts team has grown our Company by focusing on satisfying our customers," remarked Larry Castellani, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "It is their dedication to our customers that allowed us to reach this milestone and to be a leader in our industry. Congratulations team!"

Along with opening the Company's 2,500th store, the Company is also re- grand opening the Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as the Melbourne and Daytona Beach, Florida markets. In Charlotte the Company has remodeled all of its 47 stores to its exciting new "2010" format with attractive and bright new signage highlighting the quality of the parts and accessories at value prices along with more exciting product displays that help customers find related items. In the Melbourne and Daytona Beach, Florida markets, the Company is celebrating the conversion and remodeling of its 27 Discount Auto Parts stores to Advance Discount Auto Parts. Currently, over 600 of the Company's stores have the "2010" look.

"At Advance Auto Parts we are constantly searching for ways to serve our customers better. Our new 2010 format is exciting and attractive with improved product adjacencies," added Mr. Castellani.

Advance Auto Parts, based in Roanoke, VA, is the second largest retailer of automotive parts in the United States. At October 2, 2003, the Company has 2,500 stores in 38 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Advance Auto Parts serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets.