GSF Car Parts targets 20 more branches in accelerated 2026 expansion

GSF Car Parts plans to open about 20 additional UK branches in 2026, taking its network from 206 to roughly 226 locations. Twelve sites are confirmed for opening by the end of April 2026  (including a larger Burgess Hill facility) with eight more under consideration for the second half. The move follows three consecutive years of sales growth above 20 per cent despite a contracting independent aftermarket.

A counter-cyclical run

Multiple market trackers pointed to a softer UK independent aftermarket in 2025 after only modest growth in 2024. Against that backdrop, GSF reported sales up 21 per cent in 2024 and more than 20 per cent again in H1 2025. Management credits a customer-centred, service-led approach underpinned by capital investment and dense local coverage that shortens delivery times for workshops and fleets.

Where the new sites land

Twelve locations are already green-lit and due by April 2026, with a further eight being assessed for the back half of the year. The programme includes relocating Burgess Hill to a larger, higher-spec site to handle increased volumes and inventory. The company reached 200 branches in July 2025 and has since grown to 206, making 2026 its most accelerated rollout yet.

Investment and infrastructure

GSF says it has committed more than £100 million over the past 12–18 months, including a 500,000 sq ft national distribution centre in Wolverhampton to support next-day availability and product breadth. This builds on regional capability added in 2025, such as the St Austell regional distribution centre and new local branches like Ellesmere Port, which have tightened last-mile service.

“Momentum” and earlier rollout

Chief executive Steve Horne said the company has entered 2026 with clear momentum and will start openings three months earlier than the prior year’s schedule. “Our ambition is clear: to become the UK’s number one independent aftermarket distributor,” he said. “The branch network is a key competitive lever, and we’re investing heavily in both infrastructure and talent to support this expansion.”

Why it matters for garages and fleets

A denser footprint typically means faster delivery, broader parts availability and more resilient local supply chains. For busy workshops, bodyshops and fleet operators, additional coverage should cut cycle times and improve first-time-fix rates. The expansion also raises competitive pressure across regions where GSF adds new coverage or relocates to higher-capacity premises, as seen with the company’s Slough relocation.

Talent pipeline and local hiring

The company is positioning itself as an “employer of choice” and has encouraged prospective recruits to engage ahead of 2026 openings. New branches will create roles across sales, warehouse operations and delivery. This follows a period of public engagement by leadership on macro issues influencing operating costs (including tariffs) highlighted when the GSF CEO discussed garage impacts on the BBC.

With infrastructure in place, confirmed early-year sites and further locations under review, GSF appears set to push network density and service levels through 2026. If market conditions remain mixed, counter-cyclical growth will likely hinge on execution: stocking depth, delivery reliability and recruitment to sustain service standards at pace.

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Tagged with: GSF Car Parts, UK aftermarket, branch expansion, distribution centre, parts logistics, delivery times, workshop supply, fleet maintenance, Wolverhampton hub, recruitment

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