Posts by Phil Latz
Children’s Bike Imports Up, Adults Down for Current Financial Year
Canberra, ACT As we previously reported, despite supply shortages, the 2020/2021 financial year was by far an all-time record for bicycle imports to Australia. But how is the current financial year faring so far? At the time of writing, we have Australian Customs import data for the first five months of the current financial year:…
Welcome to 2022! Here’s Why I’m Still Optimistic…
Wollongong, NSW Welcome to this brand new year called 2022. I hope you were able to have at least some holiday time over the New Year period. I’ve just returned from three weeks of travelling through the back roads of NSW and Victoria. Holidays are always a good time to learn, reflect and set yourself…
We’re Launching an Exciting New Major Event
Randwick, NSW I’m very pleased to announce a major new annual event that we’ll be running for the first time next year. We’ve signed a two year agreement with Interpoint Events, a leading Sydney-based events company to collaborate on running the Micromobility Conference and Expo. Interpoint Events is one of Australia’s leading event organisers and…
Exclusive Interview: 99 Bikes’ Departing Founder Reflects upon Lessons, Wins and Massive Future Expansion
Brisbane, Queensland When Matt Turner founded 99 Bikes in 2007, he had no prior bike industry experience, apart from being a keen triathlete being a dissatisfied customer of his local bike stores. Little did those stores who gave him bad service at the time realise, they’d be sowing the seed for what is already by…
How’s Business? December 2021
Welcome to our monthly chat with bike shop owners and managers spread throughout Australia and New Zealand. With Christmas just around the corner after what has been a super stressful year for most members of the bike trade, we also asked, ‘How many days do you close the shop for over Christmas and how much…
Sydney Electric Bikes Opening Two New Stores
Pyrmont, NSW Sydney Electric Bikes is about to open two new stores which will take their total number of locations up to nine. Founder Jake Southall recently spoke to The Latz Report and started by summarising his rapid growth from the humblest of beginnings. “We opened up the first little concept shop on Pyrmont Bridge…
Shimano’s Sales and Profits Soar Higher
Osaka, Japan The third quarter financial update from Shimano, for the first nine months of 2021 to 30th September 2021, has illustrated the world’s largest bicycle component supplier’s rush to fill a void in supply, with net sales in the nine months to September up 49.6%. That acceleration of trading saw the firm’s operating income…
Will Your Next Competitor be a Surf Shop?
Wollongong, NSW I recently walked past the shop window of a well presented surf and ski shop and there front and centre were a couple of e-bikes. Looking inside, there were a few more on prominent display. After receiving permission from the owner, I took the two photos that accompany this article. The bikes are…
Have Your Say About How We Can Improve the Yearbook!
Wollongong, NSW For 25 years the Yearbook has been a popular information source for bicycle trade members. If you’re a bicycle retailer anywhere in Australia then hopefully you have a copy of the 2021 Latz Report Yearbook in your store. (If not, please call us and we’ll send you one!) We’re also continuing with our…
Unique Selling Propositions and Guarantees
This episode of our Marketing series looks at two important strategies for marketing your business. Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) defines in a brief summary what benefits your customers will receive when they purchase your product or service. You can’t be all things to all people. You also need to stand out from your competition.…