RETAILERS


HOW WAS BUSINESS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2023?


TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS:


The bike trade has been through a turbulent start to the year, so we asked BikeBiz readers about how they have found the fi rst six months of 2023


How has business been?


Matt Ivory,


Mucky Nutz component brand, Cornwall 2023 has seen a very promising start with strong sales and signs of recovery in even the worst affected markets, following the boom/bust cycle of ‘20 - ‘22. New products are selling very well, and so far our expectations for the year have already been surpassed. Customers seem to be spending more, despite the economic situation. Our AOV for direct to customer retail sales has increased significantly.


Andrew Sleeman, Spokes Cycles, West Sussex Well I’ve seen a few recessions over 35 years, some low points and some very high times, but it all tends to come in waves. The biggest killer for independent bike shops is the Internet. Covid without a doubt was a high time. For myself and other bike shops we earned our money, busy busy! Yes sales are quiet now but with Moore Large gone, getting bikes from the few that import is difficult, and the price! Everyone that wanted a bike during Covid got one so what can we expect. Repairs are for me the best and still busy enough on that front.


Matt Jones, Run & Repair, Swindon A very tough winter and early spring. Now, very busy and gaining interest every week.


Personally, I deal with a lot more of the lower to mid-range bikes. And I’ve had a lot more people turn down quotes and opt to buy a new bike instead, obviously putting me out of the work. I am genuinely one of the cheapest workshops around Swindon, so it’s not that I am too expensive.


16 | July 2023


www.bikebiz.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68