BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
The UK cycle industry is finally set to get regular, much-needed sales data – and BikeBiz will have access to the information. But we need your help.
Research giant GfK is to launch retail research reports on the UK cycling industry in early 2013, providing regular statistics on sales of bikes across specialist bike retailers and non-specialists, including both bricks and mortar and online.
The research will track sales each month, highlighting features such as bicycle type, brand, wheel size, gear system and more. It will provide retailers, distributors and suppliers with an accurate view of bicycle sales in the country for the first time.
Going forward, GfK will also look to publish reports covering parts and accessories, including helmets, lights, components, clothing and tyres.
GfK’s extensive work across multiple retail sectors means that major High Street retailers are already geared up to provide sales data.
Head of Insight at Halfords, Debbie Preston explained: “The UK bicycle industry is in need of broader total market and sales analysis and at Halfords we are delighted to support GfK with their initiative.”
But of course specialist chains and IBDs will be included on the panel – and GfK is calling for retailers to get involved in this important project.
As well as doing their bit to ensure that the research accurately reflects the market, any retailer signing up to the panel will be provided with monthly sales figures (units and value) on the key market trends. This will, of course, give store owners the advantage of being able to more accurately see and predict market trends. All information provided to GfK will be held in the strictest confidence.
Business Group Director at GfK, Daniel Fearnley said: “We are delighted to be entering this new industry, particularly at a time when there is such a heightened buzz around cycling. It is important for us to stress that our service ensures retailer confidentiality and that by supplying your data you will, in return, receive regular research on the bicycles market free-of-charge.”
As part of the move by GfK, BikeBiz will also publish regular extracts from the GfK reports.
“This is an incredibly exciting initiative for the UK cycling industry,” said BikeBiz managing editor Lisa Foster. “The market has long suffered from a lack of real stats, so I’m sure the whole industry will welcome the arrival of GfK in the sector.
“We’re delighted to be working with GfK to give a snapshot of the market via its reports, and we urge as many retailers as possible to get involved with the panel to ensure that the data accurately reflects what is one of the fastest growing sectors on the UK High Street.”
GfK is one of the world’s leading market research companies, with more than 11,000 experts working to discover new insights into the way people live, think and shop, in over 100 countries, every day. GfK is constantly innovating and using the latest technologies and the smartest methodologies to give its clients the clearest understanding of the most important people in the world: their customers.
GfK already provides market data on the bike industry in Holland, giving local retailers and suppliers accurate sales research on a monthly basis.
To find out how to contribute to the bicycle report and gain greater insights into the industry, contact either: GfK business group director Daniel Fearnley on 0870 603 8113, Daniel.Fearnley@gfk.com or GfK field operations manager Jane Hills
07810 633112, Jane.Hills@gfk.com.
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