Evans Cycles launches dropship programme, adding 9,500 lines to website

Evans Cycles has released a press statement on its extensive dropship programme, ambitions for further expansion and a series of new Evans Go concession openings.

The dropship programme, something the business mentioned to us in a wide ranging interview earlier this year, has seen Evans Cycles work with key suppliers including Extra UK, Silverfish, Cambrian, and Upgrade, to extend its online listings, in order to offer a broad range of products and collect insights into customer preferences.

The Frasers Group-owned retailer said that in the six months since initiating the dropship programme, the Evans Cycles website has added over 9,500 new lines across cycling parts, accessories and clothing – an increase of 68%. This strategic move has transformed the brand’s e-commerce platform, bringing customers a broad product range within the bicycle industry.

The e-commerce boost comes on the back of three new Evans Go openings, the brand’s workshop-free concessional offering. These stores can be located in Sports Direct’s Norwich, Gateshead and Blackpool, with plans to open more in 2024.

Russell Merry, Managing Director of Wheels at Frasers Group, said: “Twelve months ago we set a goal to create the most comprehensive website in the bike industry using a dropship model that gives our customers more choice than ever before.

“We’re thrilled to have finished the first phase of the range extension programme, which, internally, we call ‘the encyclopaedia of cycling’. The programme enables us to offer niche products and provides valuable insights based on customers preferences to help inform future buying decisions. On the back of the scheme, we have already introduced some successful dropship products into top performing brick and mortar locations.”

“We are hugely grateful to our network of brand partners who have helped us bring our vision to life. We’ve built the foundation, now we’re looking to expand at pace, alongside our retail site openings.”

Evans Cycles opened its first store in London 100 years ago and now operates in over 60 sites across the UK. In 2018 the retailer was acquired by Frasers Group. As Evans Cycles continues to evolve, it remains committed to delivering unmatched variety and quality to cycling enthusiasts of all disciplines.

Evans ramping up its online retail offering and consolidating its position comes as WiggleCRC, perhaps the best known and biggest online cycle retailer worldwide, is in considerable difficult straits setting up the possibility of a changing online cycle retail landscape.