BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
American Bicycle Group (ABG) has announced that as from today (September 1st 2010)the Litespeed and Quintana Roo brands will be exclusively distributed by Evans Cycles in the UK, moving from Paligap.
The unusual move will see the retailer handle all aspects of UK sales. ABG will soon appoint a new UK staff member to handle the transition. Evans will handle staff training and event organisation, while ABG will handle warranty claims directly with the consumer for all product sold prior to the new distribution agreement.
Paligap MD Dave Lane said: “We’ve enjoyed working with ABG and representing the Litespeed and Quintana Roo brands, but we want to concentrate on growing brands that we have been working with for many years. We’re experiencing tremendous growth with the Saris Cycling Group (CycleOps, PowerTap and Saris Racks), Fast Forward, No Tubes, TORQ and Ritchey.
Chris Hewings, sales and marketing director for ABG, added: “Paligap have done a great job for ABG during a period of time when currency fluctuations and the general state of the economy has made it tough to increase business, and we’re thankful for the very professional job they’ve done representing our high-end brands. The move to Evans will see the Litespeed and Quintana Roo brands represented in all Evans stores nationwide, and at the Ride It series of Evans-organised Demo events.”
Evans marketing manager Neil Fitton enthused: “Evans Cycles are really excited to add such prestigious offerings to our increasing portfolio of quality, exclusive brands. We feel that both Litespeed’s heritage and innovation coupled with Quintana Roo’s superb reputation in the world of triathlon dovetail well with our current crop of exclusive brands, extending our offering for the serious enthusiast. We are also looking forward to exposing a wider audience to the bikes at our Demo events nationwide and can’t wait to give our customers access to more of the quality product they crave.”
