Posts by Phil Latz
Commercial Cargo Requirements Define a New Category
Frankfurt, Germany The entire cargo bike market is still in its infancy in Australia. But shows like Eurobike give us a glimpse into what the future holds. The European cargo market has already reached 500,000 units per year. Given the high unit price of each bike, particularly as most of them are electric, that would…
Look Inside Seven Radically Different Bike Shops
Frankfurt, Germany It’s amazing how varied bike shops can be and still trade successfully. Arriving in Frankfurt with a day to spare before Eurobike-related activities, gave me the opportunity to visit seven radically different bike shops spread throughout the city and suburbs. My three modes of transport between the shops were metro, trams and shared…
Aussies & Kiwis Return to Eurobike
Frankfurt, Germany After two missed years due to Covid, a large contingent from Down Under made the most of their first opportunity to return to the world’s leading bike show. This year’s show was the largest ever – more than 1,500 exhibitors spread throughout seven huge halls plus outdoor exhibit areas. So it was very…
Major Car Dealership Makes Significant Move into LEV’s
Brisbane, Queensland Spanning more than 75 years, Bartons Motor Group has steadily grown from a small workshop to one of the largest family-owned car dealerships in Queensland, selling multiple car brands through a range of dealerships. In many ways, its company history is similar to other car dealerships around Australia, building upon decades as a…
How’s Business? – July 2022
Welcome to our monthly check-in with bicycle retailers across Australia and NZ.As always, in addition to asking “How’s business?” we asked a follow up question. This month’s question was, “How is your winter season shaping up compared to pre-covid winters?” Mark Wade from Pitcrew Bikes, who has two stores, to the north and south of…
Passion on Display at Handmade Bicycle Show
Williamstown, Victoria Flowing from the Covid pandemic and resultant international trade disruptions have been calls for more products to be made in Australia. When it comes to bicycles and related parts and accessories, the vast majority of products are imported, but what our local manufacturers lack in scale, they make up for with passion and…
Lusty’s Big New Adventure
~ Sponsored Content ~ When it comes to Australian bicycle industry importers and wholesalers, Lusty Industries is a relatively new kid on the block. But perceptions can be misleading. It’s already about 17 years since Johnny McLean and his partner Helen started a home based business from scratch. Now, after a decade in their most…
How’s Business? – May 2022
Welcome to our monthly chat with dealers from across Australia and New Zealand. From a range of previous conversations we’ve been having with wholesalers and retailers over recent months, it seems the pendulum has been swinging in relation to which categories of bikes are now in shortest supply due to covid. The initial surge of…
Lekker Bikes Opens Much Larger Sydney Showroom
Alexandria, NSW On Thursday evening 28th April, Lekker Bikes held a grand opening party for its new Sydney Brand Store. Lekker is a Dutch brand that actually started in Australia. We spoke with Saskia van Lier, who is Lekker’s Commercial Director, responsible for Australian operations. “We had a very tiny boutique in Surry Hills,” Saskia…
