News
How’s Business – April 2023
Welcome to our monthly conversation with retailers across Australia and NZ. It’s always dangerous to define any trends from a sample of, in this month’s case, just seven stores. However, it seems stores with less nearby competition, particularly regional stores, are finding things better than city stores where there are multiple shops nearby. We’ve been…
Hargroves Rebrand Completes 99 Bikes Purchase
Southhampton, UK Pedal Group has begun a rebrand of the UK retail chain, Hargroves Cycles, it purchased recently. The Queensland-based company last week began converting the four Hargroves outlets into 99 Bikes stores, consistent with its retail operations in Australia. Hargroves founder Peter Hargroves said on social media site LinkedIn the rebranding was an end…
Crank’n Sale as Erik Turns Attention to Events
Collie, WA Regional WA bike store owner Erik Mellegers is selling his famously quirky Crank’n Cycles store to focus on spreading the word about the thriving off-road cycling scene in the State’s South West. The one-time theology student has been in increasing demand as a commentator at sporting and community events and will also concentrate…
Repeated Break-Ins as Just Ride Recovers from 2022 Floods
Lismore, NSW A Lismore bike store hit by the devastating NSW floods in February 2022 has now been targeted by a series of break-ins. Just Ride Cycles, in the NSW Northern Rivers region, has been robbed four times in the 11 months since owners Jason and Rachel Sipple relocated and finished fitting out their new…
$65 Price Tag as Revolve Starts Selling Repurposed Mobikes
Sydney, NSW Bicycle recycling enterprise Revolve ReCYCLING has begun selling the redeployed bikes it accessed from the failed Mobike and OnYaBike share bike services. The Sydney-based organisation last month gained approval to repurpose the estimated 1,000 to 1,300 bikes left in a warehouse, never used, when OnYahbike by Mobike went bankrupt late last year. Revolve…
Product Briefs: Mavic E-Bike Motor, Greater Bosch Security and More
Annecy, France French brand Mavic has unveiled its own superlight e-bike motor, the X-Tend, as the company searches for a partner to help take the motor to production. The X-Tend’s release prompted recollections of another electronic innovation by Mavic, when it led the shift to electronic derailleurs with the launch of its Zap system in…
Global Brand Closes Majority of Australian Stores
Melbourne, Victoria An international success story that originated in Melbourne, Reid Cycles, has announced it is closing several Australian stores in a restructuring of its retail network “in response to market conditions”. Reid closed its Adelaide shop about a month ago and outlets in Melbourne and Sydney are set to follow as the company aims…
Strathpine Cycle Preparing to Close for Business Consolidation
Brisbane, Queensland The owner of two Giant stores in Brisbane has revealed plans to consolidate their operations into one site and give increased focus to their prospering online sales. Mark Turvey plans to close the Giant Strathpine within the next two months and concentrate upon his Giant Redcliff business. Mark said the lease for the…
Tiller Turning to Investors to Save Roadster Project
Fremantle, WA A WA-based premium e-bike developer, Tiller Rides, has opened the door for an investor or buyer to keep its program on track, after the company went into voluntary administration last month amid a series of adversities in the economic climate. Costly production delays caused by Covid restrictions, followed by a tightening financial market,…
Industry Briefs: Crooze Electric Closes Store, ProBikeKit to Close, and More
Bundall, Queensland Gold Coast e-mobility specialist Crooze Electric has closed its doors, with news the online side of the business has been purchased to operate out of Brisbane as a B2C P&A retailer. Owner James Patten reportedly made the decision to the close the store rather than renew the lease. The UK expat bought the…