How’s Business? – November 2024

Man standing in bicycle store

Welcome to How’s Business, brought to you by our sponsor Dirt Works Australia, where right now, you can get Sunringle wheelsets for HALF PRICE. We’ve been hearing that there are still very large specials available from wholesalers to retailers who are prepared to buy certain models of bikes or more than a certain minimum quantity…

Every Bike Shop Owner’s Worst Nightmare Happens in Melbourne

Interior view of a fire damaged bicycle store

Melbourne, Vic Gary Cookson, founding owner of Melbourne-based store Cargocycles has been doing it tough since he received a call in the middle of the night from his security contractor and then arrived to see his premises and stock destroyed. Subject to the outcome of police investigations yet to be finalised, it appears he was…

12 Tips to Help You Succeed – Part Two

Person standing on top of mountain with hands in the air celebrating

Wollongong, NSW It’s taken me 38 years in business to learn these 12 tips, most of them the hard way! You certainly don’t have to agree with all of them, but I hope that at least some of them help you. I gave a detailed introduction to this series at the start of Part One.…

Trade News Briefs – November

Norco logo

Norco to Set Up Direct Australian Distribution to IBD’s After 13 years with Australian-owned and operated Advance Traders, Norco has decided to go direct in the market. In a press released issued on 29th October Norco said, “We would like to thank Advance Traders for their partnership. “The transition will take place October 2025, and…

Schwalbe Radial Tyres Offer Multiple Advantages

Close up of bike tyre riding over a rock

~ Sponsored Content ~ It’s different… and better! For decades, radial tyres have been the first choice for motor vehicles, but they’ve been slower to take off for bicycles. Schwalbe have always been at the cutting edge of tyre technology and now after three years of development behind the scenes, they’ve just launched new Radial…

Record Low Financial Year Bicycle Imports Confirmed

Above view of a port with a ship and shipping containers

Canberra, ACT As we previously reported here, bicycle imports for the most recent financial year have been running at a very low rate. That article was based upon data up to 31st May 2024 with a projection for June, but we now have actual data for June 2024 to complete the 2023/24 financial year. In…

Taipei Cycle 2025 Books Out Months in Advance

Above interior view of exhibition hall.

Despite continued difficulties in the market, exhibitor booth spaces for Taipei Cycle 2025 have officially been filled and a waitlist has been opened. Taipei Cycle is scheduled for 26th to 29th March 2025. Attendance has been confirmed by 950 exhibitors from 35 countries who will take a combined standard booth space of over 3,500 booths.…

How’s Business? – October 2024

Bicycle store street frontage

Welcome to How’s Business, brought to you by our sponsor Dirt Works Australia, where right now, you can get Sunringle wheelsets for HALF PRICE. If you read what our participating bike shop owners had to say this month, you’ll see that their answers range from “Worst ever!” to “Best ever!” with the rest mainly towards…

12 Tips to Help You Succeed – Part One

Person with arms in air with mountain background

Wollongong, NSW It’s taken me 38 years in business to learn these 12 tips, most of them the hard way! You certainly don’t have to agree with all of them, but I hope that at least some of them help you. Those of you who’ve been in the bike industry for at least eight years…

Retail Briefs – October

Internal above view of a bicycle store

Off Course As we reported here earlier this year, after 16 years trading as Commuter Cycles, the inner city Melbourne store rebranded as Off Course to reflect the much wider range of bikes that it now sells and services, including to gravel and adventure riding markets. After a long gap between visits, I recently dropped…