Category Pulse: week of Sep 21, 2026

8 signals across 5 groups, each with what it meant for a manufacturer preparing a line review.

Car Care & Detailing

SEP 23

Car Care +2SEP 23

Plastics get pulled into tariff turmoil

So what: Resin and plastic packaging costs are exposed to tariff swings, so lock bottle and trigger sprayer quotes early and build a cost contingency into line review pricing.

SOURCE: SUPPLY CHAIN DIVEREAD SOURCE CATEGORY MANAGEMENT GUIDE

Functional Fluids

SEP 22

Fluids +1SEP 22

CPC 6-10 and 8-14 day outlook discussion, issued Sep 22

So what: Early October outlook points to a trough and cooler pattern pushing into western Canada, so keep washer fluid and blade fill rates ready for an early northern seasonal shift.

SOURCE: NWS CPCREAD SOURCE SEASONAL INVENTORY WINDOWS

Performance Additives

SEP 23

AdditivesSEP 23

Lucas Oil Unveils Enhanced Fuel Treatment Line

So what: A refreshed competing fuel treatment line covering both gas and diesel raises the bar on claims, so sharpen your own cleaning and protection messaging before additive shelf resets.

SOURCE: AFTERMARKET NEWSREAD SOURCE CATEGORY MANAGEMENT GUIDE

Wipers & Replacement Parts

SEP 23

Wipers & Parts +1SEP 23

NWS: 15 active flood and tropical alerts, concentrated in FL, MD, NM and TN

So what: Flood and coastal alerts clustered in Florida, Maryland, New Mexico and Tennessee pull demand for wiper blades, bulbs and roadside kits, so push regional fill in and endcap support now.

SOURCE: NWSREAD SOURCE SEASONAL INVENTORY WINDOWS

Across the channel

SEP 23

All categoriesSEP 23

Old Dominion announces 4.9% general rate increase

So what: An LTL general rate increase lifts freight cost on heavy, low value shipments like fluids and cases of chemicals, so rebuild landed cost assumptions before you commit to line review pricing.

SOURCE: SUPPLY CHAIN DIVEREAD SOURCE CATEGORY MANAGEMENT GUIDE

SEP 22

All categoriesAutoZoneSEP 22

AutoZone files 8-K on quarterly results

So what: AutoZone's quarterly results filing gives a read on retail and commercial momentum, so mine it for category signals and tone your promo and margin asks for the next line review.

SOURCE: SEC EDGARREAD SOURCE HOW THE AUTOZONE BUYER EVALUATES YOU

SEP 22

All categoriesSEP 22

Tight Capacity Keeps Pressure on Q4 Freight Market

So what: Constrained truckload capacity, higher diesel and rising LTL costs point to freight staying expensive into Q4, so build that into landed cost and price assumptions you take into line review.

SOURCE: AFTERMARKET NEWSREAD SOURCE CATEGORY MANAGEMENT GUIDE

SEP 21

All categoriesSEP 21

FedEx preps 5.9% rate hike, surcharge increases for 2027

So what: Parcel rates and surcharges rise in January, which hits heavy liquid and bulky SKUs hardest. Model the increase into ecommerce and direct ship costs before you quote next year's pricing.

SOURCE: SUPPLY CHAIN DIVEREAD SOURCE CATEGORY MANAGEMENT GUIDE

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