Bike boom powers Halfords to £1bn sales

[nickyboy]

What's with the Sunday thing? If I'm going to a bike shop Sunday is the best day for me. Only Hargroves (who are so bad now I won't go there) and Halfords are open in my area.

I think this shouldn't be underestimated. Generally they are located on retail parks with good access and plenty of parking. Open evenings and Sundays. If you're thinking of buying a bike and don't know much about it, that sounds ideal. Otherwise it's the internet (tricky when you don't know anything about bikes) or a bike shop (intimidating, crap access, not open Sundays or evenings)

 

[andyfraser]

I think this shouldn't be underestimated. Generally they are located on retail parks with good access and plenty of parking. Open evenings and Sundays. If you're thinking of buying a bike and don't know much about it, that sounds ideal. Otherwise it's the internet (tricky when you don't know anything about bikes) or a bike shop (intimidating, crap access, not open Sundays or evenings)

I buy lots from Halfords because of all that, except the intimidating LBS because most of them are closed.

Why are so many bike shops closed on Sundays? I'd have thought that Sunday would be a good day to open.

 

[nickyboy]

I buy lots from Halfords because of all that, except the intimidating LBS because most of them are closed.

Why are so many bike shops closed on Sundays? I'd have thought that Sunday would be a good day to open.

Owner managed and the owner is probably a keen cyclist. So he prefers to go cycling Sunday rather than opening his business. His decision but the likes of Halfords will continue to benefit from this. I guess his "keen" cyclist customers are also out on their bikes but that narrows his market a lot

 

[andyfraser]

Owner managed and the owner is probably a keen cyclist. So he prefers to go cycling Sunday rather than opening his business. His decision but the likes of Halfords will continue to benefit from this. I guess his "keen" cyclist customers are also out on their bikes but that narrows his market a lot

Each to their own I guess.

 

[jarlrmai]

It's annoying as fark when you need something cheap and a little esoteric like a chain quicklink or an 80 mm valve tube or you can't ride that day.

 

[Dave 123]

They're catering to those who don't feel able to do things for themselves.

I was in Halfords one Sunday lunchtime. There was a couple in there with a bike wheel begging the staff to do a job for them as they needed the bike the next day. The staff said they were very busy but agreed to fit the couple in. It was a puncture and cost £9.

Was the price factoring in inflation?




I'll get me coat

 

[User6179]

Turnover for vanity, profit for sanity

Is that yersel Duncan ?

 

[screenman]

It's annoying as fark when you need something cheap and a little esoteric like a chain quicklink or an 80 mm valve tube or you can't ride that day.

Do you not keep spares at home? I know I do.

 

[screenman]

Is that yersel Duncan ?

Sorry, lost me there.

 

[screenman]

I suppose we all speak from our own experiences, mine have been very poor on all fronts.

 

[jarlrmai]

Do you not keep spares at home? I know I do.

I do but have been caught short before on some really stupid things.

 

[Sandra6]

We all got cake to celebrate

 

[Dave 123]

We all got cake to celebrate

So how much is made UK WIDE from fitting light bulbs, wipers and batteries? A fair bit I reckon.

 

[Sandra6]

So how much is made UK WIDE from fitting light bulbs, wipers and batteries? A fair bit I reckon.

I have no idea, I only pay attention to figures when they offer me cake.

 

[CopperCyclist]

They're catering to those who don't feel able to do things for themselves.

I was in Halfords one Sunday lunchtime. There was a couple in there with a bike wheel begging the staff to do a job for them as they needed the bike the next day. The staff said they were very busy but agreed to fit the couple in. It was a puncture and cost £9.

I was in my old LBS once and the same thing happened. Chap came in with a wheel with a flat tyre, bought a tube then asked them to change it for him. The chap had to leave the wheel with them and they told him he could pick it up in the afternoon because they were buried under work that day.

I almost offered to change the tube for him there and then, but wasn't overly clear if they were going to charge him and didn't want to be rude and lose them the cash. Especially when I want cycling at the time so would have been borrowing their pump and levers to do so!