Concept
Circuit City executives developed the concept for CarMax under then-CEO Richard L. Sharp. It was developed for nearly a year in 1991, using the code name "Project X". It was also known as "Honest Rick's Used Cars" to those intimately involved in the skunk works team.[10] Before the first store was built, DeVito/Verdi was hired as the advertising agency and creative resource. The company executed the campaign and additional TV advertisements throughout several years in support of the launch and the initial wave of stores.[11]
A typical CarMax store is approximately 59000 sqft,[12] carries an inventory of 300–400 vehicles, and turns its inventory over eight to ten times a year. On average, a CarMax location employs 40 sales associates. Each car goes through a 125-point inspection process, and includes a 30-day warranty, three days to change the financing for free, and, 10-day money-back guarantee (reduced in 2024 from a 30-day money-back guarantee).[13][14]
Circuit City issued the first CarMax stock in February 1997, when CarMax had seven locations. Initially, the stock was a tracking stock still under the umbrella of Circuit City. CarMax officially split from Circuit City as of October 1, 2002, when it was spun off as a stock dividend for Circuit City shareholders, with shares also issued to those holding CarMax tracking stock.[15]
CarMax sold over 750,000 vehicles to consumers in Fiscal Year 2021 (March 1, 2020–February 28, 2021).[1] According to the CarMax fiscal year 2018 report released on April 24, 2018, the company opened 15 used car superstores in Fiscal Year 2018, and planned to open 15 additional stores in Fiscal Year 2019.[16]
