RETAILERS
Here’s what you, our trusted BikeBiz readers, had to say… PHOTO: AXEL BRUNST VIA UNSPLASH
What would you like to see from brands next year?
More value, better stock levels, better deliveries - Roadies Cycles Huntingdon
A continuous trend for cargo bikes that would help the market - Brieg Rouxel, Fleximodal, France
Pricing and margin retained sensibly - Race Co Cycles UK, Halesowen
More education and awareness of the importance, relevance and effectiveness of bike fit for all levels of riders, shop staff, manufacturers, designers and marketers within the industry. More consideration towards ease of adjustment in bikes and ease of servicing. Also availability of aftermarket parts to change positions e.g. proprietary stems seat posts etc. - Foundation Bike Fit, Lee Valley Velopark, London
Support on sell through, like activation, test riding and upgrade on communication. - Stipbike, Netherlands
I would like to see more and better warranty support for their products. Also I would like to see some consistency in pricing, with some balance in costs for P&A. How did we come to a point where a 29 inch mountain bike tyre costs over $100 Canadian? - Alex Tavuchis
Better stock availability at a supplier level. Small shops are going to need to rely on what stock they can get to fulfil orders rather than sitting on lots of shop floor stock. Also would be great to see them try to uphold margin and not flog stock to discounters. More model versions rather than model year and new colours. - Mech Monkey, Belfast
Less pressure. The industry had a blip with everything going crazy and high demand. All manufacturers are pressuring their suppliers, who are pressuring their dealers to take more stock and then everyone is overstocked so it turns into a race to the bottom all over again. Now, add to the mix the slow down because it is winter, the cost of living crisis and the price hikes that has involved. We are right in the middle of a mess at the moment with no light at the end of the tunnel. Wholesalers are in turn setting up direct to consumer websites or eBay/ Amazon shops, or all three, because they feel the pressure from the brands. “You must take X amount of stock or we will find someone who will” so in turn their IBD network shrinks because the dealers don’t want to deal with a wholesaler who is selling stuff directly to consumers cheaper than they are paying trade. The UK market is probably too small for some of these manufacturers to go consumer direct so need a distributor/trading partner, but you then end up with the “Moore Large/Raleigh” scenario where they have too many brands, can’t service any of them properly and go to the wall. The bicycle, and many of the accessories are not fashion items, they don’t need a colour change or name change every year. The sooner manufacturers realise this, the better, but they have shareholders to please so it will never happen, which is sad. - Neil Holman, George Halls Cycle Centre, Market Harborough
Innovation not copy cat of successful products already in the market - Flying Dutchman Bikes West
www.bikebiz.com January 2024 | 7
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