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One thing COVID has show us is with sufficient demand the traditional bike shop model works as it should - I've not had to sell a single bike at a discount over the last year, so we made a much better margin, and as wiggle et al have ran out of stock that's meant less competition (No 50% off RRP shimano groupsets floating around online anymore) chuck in Brexit making it harder to get cheap stuff from Europe which will only continue. Our on-site cafe's been closed most of the year due to covid and reduced footfall in the area making takeways non-viable
roadwarrior-
I'd agree. C19 has given new life into what was becoming a doomed industry.
I know his biggest problem is going to be able to decide what Avenue to head down. Some of you have mentioned eBikes and thats a great suggestion. He's unsure if posh road would work in this area as rumours are about of another new shop.on the horizon in a more affluent area of the city. There is a trad shop 2 miles away, Trek , Genesis and Surly and they are on the brink of folding as they cannot get any stock.
My thoughts are to try and get an account with a big group who own many decent brands in the hope of cross pollinating- Pond cover this but I'm unsure how hard it is currently getting products into the UK
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My understanding was Wiggle/CRC sourced their Shimano from Poland distributor and did wonder if the party was over
Greggory
dubtap
Yes, a cafe cunningly disguised as a bike shop :-) Bike shops don't make money look at Cycle Repubic/ Halfords if they can't make it work who can ?
I do think there's lots of room for LMNH style venues.