NEWS
CYCLE SHORTS
ITV4 secures Tour
Live coverage and highlights of the Tour de France have been secured by ITV4 until 2015. The channel sealed the deal with the most famous bike race on the planet on January 9th. Last year’s live coverage peaked at an 878,000, with the audience up 30 per cent year-on-year.
Ison celebrates 20 years in the biz
The distribution firm has been celebrating with its dealer customers to mark its 20th year in the business. There’s more on Ison in our Core Bike review on page 33.
Cycle boom on the way this year
According to The Observer’s last edition of January, 2012 is to be the year of the bike. An investment banker and Wiggle’s boss said cycling is virtually recession proof, adding that the Olympics will be a huge sales driver.
Cycle Network welcomes Android
Sustrans’ National Cycle Network app is now available to Android users. So far the app has been downloaded 50,000 times by iPhone users.
Bobbin to sell Globe store
In order that it can expand its supply business, Bobbin Bicycles is looking for a buyer for its award winning Globe Store in London – the only bike shop to feature on Time Out London’s top shops list. Bobbin is launching in New York in spring following a showing at Interbike.
E-bike-promoting E4 launches
Electric bike trade group E4 (nothing to do with the TV channel) has been formed by EBC, Storck Raddar, Hero Eco and Wisper to promote the electric bike market. The organisation told BikeBiz that the formation does not spell the end of BEBA – the British Electric Bicycle Association.
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4 BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY
Cycling props up the High Street
Bike shops target growth while other retail sectors struggle to continue trading in 2012
by Jonathon Harker
IN A MONTH that saw numerous retail businesses go to the wire, cycling’s High Street chains have revealed plans to expand in the face of the toughest prolonged economic period in years. Already this year Past Times, La Senza and
Peacocks have fallen into administration, following Hawkin’s Bazaar, Barratts and D2 Jeans in December 2011.
Despite being just one month into 2012,
Cycle Surgery has revealed it will be opening at least three new shops in the UK this year, while Evans Cycles is also due to open at least one more shop in the near future. “At Cycle Surgery we continue to set
ourselves new challenges, goals and objectives,” commented Cycle Surgery marketing manager Jonathan Sharpe. “During these challenging economic times, we continue to experience strong growth, and are pleased to be able to open new stores in key locations.” Evans Cycles’ director of marketing and ecommerce Ben Hart commented: “We've got a confirmed store opening for 2012 in Edinburgh set for this spring. There are no other confirmed store openings at present
but we are assessing opportunities – economic and trading outlook permitting – but the plan is to keep expanding our retail footprint in a sustainable way.” The growth of Cycle Surgery has seen it
reach 27 stores (see inset) from just six London outlets in 2007. In 2010 the brand combined with Runners Need and Snow+Rock following a Management Buy Out, backed by LGC Capital. In January, Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative
revealed it was planning to double in size in five years, increase turnover to £20 million by 2017 and increase staffing to nearly 300. MD Jeremy Miles told The Scotsman:
“There are a lot of changes going on at the moment, there are a lot of private equity firms coming into the cycling industry. The real opportunity is in places like London, Birmingham and Bristol.” Despite their continued positive exploits on the High Street, both Cycle Surgery and Evans Cycles noted the continued importance of other retail channels. Sharpe said: “Cycle Surgery’s growth developing and improving our e-commerce and multi channel media platforms, ensures our online customers receive the best retail experience possible.”
“The plan is to keep expanding our retail footprint in a sustainable way.”
Ben Hart, Evans Cycles
Nemesis to bring Motorola brand to IBDs
FOLLOWING A launch partnership with Evans Cycles, the MotoACTV product line will be made available to IBDs from March 1st. Mobile electronics brand Motorola’s new
MotoACTV line of GPS fitness music devices and accessories will be brought to independent retailers through Nemesis. ‘Fusing music and fitness’, MotoACTV’s
product range starts with an 8GB device (at £249.99) which can be mounted on handlebars or can be worn as a sports watch (right) for full data sensor data capture and musical motivation. A high performance heart rate monitor and speed cadence sensor are among the accessories available. “We are extremely excited about the
opportunity of bringing this premium electronics brand to the UK,” enthused Roger
Cook, business development manager at Nemesis. “There is massive potential with the strong growth of the UK fitness market increasing the demand for this type of product.
“Our knowledge and expertise of distributing cycle and electronics equipment combined with MotoACTV’s quality and design are a perfect match.” 0870 7775530
sales@nemesisactive.com
BIKEBIZ.COM
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