I dare say that it is no surprise to many that the new owner would streamline the business, close some of stores and open others in premises he owns;
Evans Sutton being such an example. I would also imagine that it'd be logical if we also start to see some of the cycle brands he owns showcased instore; MuddyFox for example. Some of the team behind the 'Evans' as was are now behind the rapid expansion of 'Balfe Bikes' who specialise in holding large stock to then distribute 'click and collect' through their quickly growing network of stores; arguably an extremely strong business model this last year.
Holding large stock and forward ordering is what retailers are having to do at the moment, most bike brands have presold most of their 2021 deliveries. Personally I hope that we can get back to what it was before the pandemic! I have always worked for independent stores, previously we could compete with the 'Evans' as was and 'Balfe' model as is because our USP was to offer a different kind of service, perhaps including a 'sizing fit' to work out the perfect size then offer the customer a variety of valid models from the distributors stock; then offer a 'collection fit' when the bike arrives. I much prefer to deserve that purchase than win it just because we happen to have it in stock! I fear it will be some time before that happens, the bike distributors rather like the retailer holding and paying for stock instead of them having to do it.
When I started in the industry bike model ranges and size choices available were far less than they are now and the retailer held more stock, as bike brands increased both the model and size ranges it became standard practice that the distributor held stock that the dealer would draw from, the dealer still committing to a range to showcase instore. It was one of the selling points used when by the current popular bike brands were in effect trying to replace the likes of Raleigh and Dawes as the 'go to ' bike brand a retailer chose, "you can offer your customer a much larger range and we will hold the stock; win win".
By reverting back to the smaller retailers in effect being forced to hold stock before the multi outlet stores 'buy it all' will result in less choice for the consumer from the smaller independents as understandably they will not be able to hold such a huge variety; on that level that doesn't look like progress to me! I fear that the small independent stores will be squeezed to the extent that you will see many go and not be replaced; there was once quite a few stores in my local area; far less now.
I do get why the bike brands adore the multi outlet stores, they commit and in large numbers. What makes me sad is in the past they seemed to support a quality local bike store far more, I can still hear their sales pitch to us "
we want our partner stores to offer a superior service...." they genuinely seemed to care how their bikes were sold and that was actually rather motivating; now it seems that their focus has moved to supporting the multi outlet 'click and collect stores' far more and they care less about how their brand is represented and supporting the smaller independents .
