What do you think will happen to the UK bike retail industry?

[SpokeyDokey]

I don't know if anyone cares, but Fran Millar has left Rapha

https://road.cc/news/rapha-set-for-...ran-millar-steps-down-as-ceo-of-british-brand

Loving the job title of 'Head of Winning Behaviours'.

 

[wakemalcolm]

Does Belstaff being sold in a debt free and cash free deal mean that they gave it away?

Not sure about Fran but I can see her brother ending up bankrupt as he's continuously guided by his principles and vision rather than financial rectitude. At least he's an employee at Factor rather than an owner.

 

[matticus]

<faints>
<comes round slowly ...>
Sorry, did someone on Cyclechat just describe David Millar as "continuously guided by his principles" ?!?

 

[Dogtrousers]

<faints>
<comes round slowly ...>
Sorry, did someone on Cyclechat just describe David Millar as "continuously guided by his principles" ?!?

You beat me to it.

 

[wakemalcolm]

<faints>
<comes round slowly ...>
Sorry, did someone on Cyclechat just describe David Millar as "continuously guided by his principles" ?!?

Yes, his, not yours or mine.

 

[rogerzilla]

Ms Millar looks like one of those people who flits between jobs every 18 months to 2 years, building up their CV while not staying long enough to have their bluff called. I've worked with loads of them.

 

[wakemalcolm]

Ms Millar looks like one of those people who flits between jobs every 18 months to 2 years, building up their CV while not staying long enough to have their bluff called. I've worked with loads of them.

Yes, long enough to implement a new culture rather than suffer it.

 

[Drago]

Loving the job title of 'Head of Winning Behaviours'.

AKA 'Speaker of Complete Tosh'

 

[Dogtrousers]

Loving the job title of 'Head of Winning Behaviours'.

What does that entail? Inventing victory celebrations? Podium protocol checklists?

 

[Dirk Van Der Dirk]

Ms Millar looks like one of those people who flits between jobs every 18 months to 2 years, building up their CV while not staying long enough to have their bluff called. I've worked with loads of them.

The CEO roundabout...a bunch of connected knowsnowts who always seem to fall upwards

 

[rogerzilla]

What does that entail? Inventing victory celebrations? Podium protocol checklists?

Improving morale by firing all the unhappy people.

 

[katiewlx]

Id like to say I was surprised, but I think we all predicted this was the most likely outcome, given Rapha dont seem to have changed what theyre selling one bit, they might have closed a bunch of shops, changed their internal behaviours, whatever.

but theyre still selling kit thats largely generic designs for stupid money. and nothing Fran or Rapha have said or done externally appear to understand that key fact.

 

[rogerzilla]

If they couldn't make a profit when the MAMILs were splurging Covid cash on anything bike-related and Team Sky were winning Grand Tours, they certainly won't do so with a cost-of-living squeeze and Pog destroying all competition. Someone will wait until it goes bust and buy the brand for a song. I can guess who.

 

[Drago]

Id like to say I was surprised, but I think we all predicted this was the most likely outcome, given Rapha dont seem to have changed what theyre selling one bit, they might have closed a bunch of shops, changed their internal behaviours, whatever.

but theyre still selling kit thats largely generic designs for stupid money. and nothing Fran or Rapha have said or done externally appear to understand that key fact.

You mean theyre doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome? Now, what does that make them...?

 

[Windle]

What does that entail? Inventing victory celebrations? Podium protocol checklists?

I don't know, but I'm pretty sure it'll involve things like 'reaching out'.