Retail
BikeExchange CEO Resigns Amid Multiple Challenges
Sydney, NSW BikeExchange co-founder Sam Salter has temporarily stepped into the company’s CEO role, following the abrupt resignation of Mark Watkin from the position. The Melbourne-based company last week issued a statement announcing Mark was stepping down, effective immediately, but would remain with the company in the short term to ensure a smooth handover. “As…
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…
BikeExchange Signs Partnership with Top US e-Mobility Firm
Miami, US Melbourne-based online retailer BikeExchange has boosted its presence in the e-mobility market by signing a partnership with US company Simply EV. The Simply EV chain of more than 50 stores and e-commerce sells a range of e-bikes, e-scooters, electric motorcycles, e-marine and accessories. It is part of Revolution Brands International and stocks one…
Specialized Buys Planet Cycles in Brisbane
Brisbane, Queensland Specialized Bicycle Components Australia has purchased a second Australian store, confirming last week it had bought prominent Brisbane store Planet Cycles. It came only a few weeks after Specialized’s first store purchase in this country, acquiring another Brisbane businesses, Studio de Velo. Husband and wife team Mark and Bronwyn announced they were handing…
Fitzroy Cycles Goes on the Market
Melbourne, Victoria An institution of Melbourne bicycle retail is on the market for only the second time in its almost century-long history. Fitzroy Cycles has been advertised for sale, with owners Bill Hocking and Anne Martin deciding the time is right to embark on the next chapter of their lives. With digital technology and the…
Lismore Store Flooded Twice in a Month
Lismore, NSW Lismore retailer Harris Cycle Co. has been hit twice by flooding within a month, only a year after moving to a new premise the owners thought would provide better flood protection. Between flooding and COVID interruptions, store owner Darryl Pursey says he’s been able to trade for a total of about three weeks…
On-Line Retail Pioneer Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Sydney, NSW Australia’s largest online bike retailer, Bicycles Online, recently celebrated a decade in business, prompting its founders to reflect on their modest and “naive” beginnings. In 2011, Jonathon Allara and James van Rooyen questioned why none of the major brands were sold online. “We had come from running a very modest bike tour business…
Trek Buys Eight Melbourne Stores
Melbourne, Victoria One of Victoria’s largest bike store chains, Cycles Galleria, has been purchased by Trek Bicycle Australia this month. The purchase, including all seven Cycles Galleria stores, is the latest of two purchases by Trek in recent weeks to bolster the company’s presence in Melbourne. In late February, Trek bought Essendon store Rapido Cycles.…
Long Recovery from Brisbane Floods
Brisbane, Queensland Three inner Brisbane bike stores and the State peak advocacy organisation, Bicycle Queensland (BQ), are bouncing back from this month’s severe flood, with some of them still uncertain when they will be able to return to their premises. NRG Cycles and BQ, both located in the suburb of Milton, are continuing to liaise…
New School Year Brings Big Shift to e-Cargo Bikes
Melbourne, Victoria Victoria’s cargo bike community is making a mass migration to motor assistance, if the experience of Melbourne store Cargocycles is any indication. In recent weeks, the Brunswick East store has averaged three enquiries a week from conventional cargo bike owners looking to make the switch to e-cargo bikes. One in three of those…