The automotive products category is the fastest growing in the catalog industry, according to the latest National Directory of Catalogs, published by Oxbridge Communications. Over the last five years the number of automotive catalogs has increased from 261 to 553, representing a 118% increase.

The next fast growing categories are catalogs selling religious products and education catalogs. The number of catalogers with an online presence has increased fourfold to 8,402.

In terms of numbers of catalogs overall, books remain the single largest market category, followed by apparel, automotive, education and gardening catalogs.

Categories in decline include manufacturing, gifts and greeting cards, and computers. Each has fewer catalogs compared to five years ago.