BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news

No, don't worry, this is not a scoop from an anti-Armstrong French journalist, it's news that America's sportsman-of-the-year has inked an advertising deal with the sugared-water folk from Atlanta.

UK retail like-for-like sales rose 1.7 percent in December, a severe slowing down. The US retail market is slow too, and with a war on the way, consumer confidence could dip even further. According to the latest retail report from the US-based National Bicycle Dealers Association, the number of IBDs is decreasing in the US, but at a surprisingly slow rate considering the economic downturn. And, according to the NBDA, bike trade speciality retailers can grow if they look beyond their core customer base

...but even grimmer down South. Madison's chief exec has penned an open letter to IBD customers that is pessimistic. Things have got to change, says Terry Bowles. In part, he blames bike suppliers: "Is it fair for me to finance the selfish agenda of other bicycle suppliers and for how much longer is the industry going to stand for this selfish and uncommercial mentality?"

The Dutch 'retail services' group Euretco Tweewielers had a positive 2002, and so did its 293 IBD members in the Netherlands. The organisation is now actively seeking UK members, and has started negotiations with suppliers, many of whom feel its quick, centralised payment terms could be part of a winning formula

The hoary old subject of 'insurance replacements' has long been an ACT AGM favourite topic, with IBDs getting hot under the collar about the loss of business to Halfords, Terry Wright Cycles and the other 'insurance specialists'. Yet when a solution was created, only five percent of ACT members signed up. Go figure.