COREbike 2024: “So that’s where I get that brand from now”

The clock is running down on the final day of COREbike 2024 as this story is posted, drawing to a close another reliably busy edition of the trade show.

At the show, there was talk of a record attendance (to be confirmed), with CIN able to confirm there seemed a strong footfall, busy stands where you often had to wait to speak with a rep and the noise of conversation filling the halls.

Aside from the usual attractions of CORE, among the reasons for the high levels of attendance could be, it was suggested, partly due to the large number of brands sitting with new distributors. Ranges previously stocked by now defunct distributors – or by other COREbike exhibitors – were on show, presenting dealers with a useful refresher of where to go to get hold of certain brands.

Whatever the reason, there were plenty of attendees pleasantly surprised to see so many face-to-face after 2023, broadly considered to be the worst year for the UK bicycle trade in decades.

“Survive to 2025”

Bleakly humorous maybe, but the phrase “survive to 2025” or variations of it were repeated throughout the show by multiple sources. The UK cycling industry seems to be under no illusions that 2024 isn’t going to suddenly flick a switch and boost consumer spending power. Instead, there was an acknowledgement that if you made it through 2023, no doubt having made some tough decisions (or being on the receiving end of some), then you were likely in good stead to survive through to 2025. Gravel, tubeless, eBikes… plenty of sectors are destined for plenty of growth ahead, but the trade is cautiously scouring the horizon for signs of green shoots.

“It’s always about the workshop, now more than ever”

Workshop brands were among those on show at CORE, often at new homes as referenced above. With bike sales in the main remaining problematic amid overstocks (the pricing of bikes cropped up in conversation more than once), the ever reliable workshop appears to have become even more of a lynchpin for many retailers (and distributors stocking such lines), with particular buzz and discussion around workshop-related stands.

Those surface impressions of COREbike 2024 will be joined by more in-depth pieces to follow on Cycling Industry News.