Halfords, the UK’s largest cycling retailer, says that sales of bikes and accessories dipped in the 13 weeks to 1 July due to a combination of the timing of Easter and poor weather during April and the latter part of June.
While sales of premium bikes rose during the period, those of parts and accessories and what the retailer terms “mainstream bikes” fell.
In the cycling segment, like-for-like revenue – which strips out the impact of new or expanded stores – fell by 4 per cent.
Total revenue was up 2.1 per cent, with Autocentres seeing total growth of 5.9 per cent, and 3.9 per cent on a like-for-like basis.
Chief executive Jill McDonald said: “This was a solid performance from our motoring categories, which account for around 70% of group sales, with continued growth in service-related sales, demonstrating Halfords’ credentials as a specialist retailer.
“In Autocentres our sales continued to grow through improvements in the customer offer. We had good sales growth of premium bikes but cycling sales across the quarter were impacted by both the timing of Easter and poor weather, particularly in April.
The company is hoping for a boost in sales of bikes and cycling-related products following next month’s Olympic Games, with the chief executive saying: “We look forward to the peak summer cycling season, including our exciting new ranges from Laura Trott and Sir Bradley Wiggins launched ahead of the Olympics.”
> Wiggins and Halfords launch kids’ bike range
She added:”While the recent decision to leave the EU does create uncertainty, we are well-positioned as a business and focused on delivering sustainable long-term growth.”
The company now operates 462 Halfords and 11 Cycle Republic stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland.
> Trott bike range comes to Halfords
The highway code doesn't say "If you are approaching a cyclist from behind sound your horn"....
Erm... You forgot to mention The Tyne Tunnel opened in 1951!!!...
Always? So the guy is asked to appear on a podcast to discuss performance enhancing drugs and answers questions posed to him, which go beyond what...
"Babergh District Council said it had been "clear throughout" that it "had no option but to introduce charges" and could not afford to continue to...
Maybe it is the latest ruse for insurers to avoid payouts saying "You didn't tell us that you took the key out of the lock so we're refusing your...
I'm still running an ELMNT BOLT V1, and I've never really understood the LED's. I'm sure I configured them for HR zones, but never really look at...
Why is this not the will of god?
PKD foresaw it, though his novel was based on a different outcome of WWII, not the precursor to WWIII. Maybe the Idiocracy film is a closer fit?
@Sredlums: I'm not sure I follow your logic. If someone grabs your helmet twists it, then the reason it doesn't feel good is because the outer is...
Coming to the mid-paced Saturday club ride soon.