Read CyclingIndustry.News’ latest Trade Journal online

CyclingIndustry.News’ first Trade Journal of 2021 is now readable online, or downloadable in pdf format here.

We kick off the issue with an assessment of what does and what does not contribute to the recipe for a supplier sales rep that will be welcomed with open arms. For those on the lookout for help from sales agents CI.N has been quietly refreshing our 2018 guide to the industry’s available talent. For that article head here.

With our 2021 Independent retail Study just weeks away from release a final trickle of the 2020 data makes an assessment of where bike shops were most likely to have invested this year, where trade has picked up year-on-year, profitability and participation in things like second hand bike sales, bike rental and in-house workshop training classes. To register your interest in the forward looking 2021 report email the editor here.

In a step outside of the norm our first guest columnist this months is known as The Ranty Highayman. A highways engineer by trade, but also a passionate advocate for cycling provision, our columnist explains the built in barriers to getting cycling infrastructure on the design agenda and how to overcome these headwinds.

In the second instalment of our MP’s View series Selaine Saxby of the Conservative Party outlines her view on how cycling and walking can progress in this country and why subsidies may not always be the answer to helping business. In our final issue of 2020, Labour’s Ruth Cadbury shared this interview on the same subject.

In the absence of trade shows overleaf CI.N calls on the suppliers to tell us first of all what stock is arriving shortly, but also what would have been front of house had the likes of Corebike and Icebike proceeded.

Trend watching is a key part of our job here at CI.N, but sometimes it’s the unseen that stands to make the biggest impact on business. With that in mind we ask a handful of industry experts whether the trend toward integration of accessories will ultimately dent add-on sales trade at retail. Head to page 26 for our assessment.

There’s plenty more thereafter too, including:

• A Myles Marwood column on whether the industry has already forgotten earlier messaging on diversity.
• A profile of Moore Large’s Forme Bikes brand and the ambition to challenge the brand leaders for shop floor space in the UK.
• The rollout of a new chain of workshops under the Handlebars banner.
• A much needed assessment of the gear available to shops to bolster security in the wake of a rising trend of break ins.
• A profile of the Cadence Performance business and ho it has diversified its services well beyond traditional retail in order to help it store fat for harder times.
• Detail on how to get your mechanics enrolled with both the Cycle Systems Academy and The Bike Inn training houses.
• John Styles returns to CI.N with his usual thorough assessment of the retail market as it stands and how to prepare for what may be yet another anomalous year for the trade.
• Finally, Saddleback’s Andy Wigmore fills in for this month’s Ask the Boss interview, explaining why the firm has placed strong bets on sports cycling continuing to grow despite a general outpacing by electric and transport bikes.

Once more, to read our Trade Journal in full, head here.