BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Ever wonder how all those brands and companies got to win a BikeBiz Award over the years? Firstly, they entered the running before the deadline.
This year’s is fast approaching – Monday July 21st.
So how do you lobby to get your brand or company in with a chance of winning? It’s simple:
If you think you deserve a BikeBiz Award or know someone who does then let us know about it at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk . All we need are a few points about why the brand or company has had a great 12 months.
Anyone can lobby – for yourself, a colleague, a favourite brand or individual, or even a competitor.
Here’s some detail on the specific awards being given away:
Are you a distributor?
If you’re in the distribution business then there are three dedicated awards up for grabs:
Bike Distributor of the Year
A pretty simple one this – the Bike Distributor of the Year is open to bicycle distributors that are operating to high standards. Judges will consider sales performance, customer service and commitment to an orderly marketplace.
Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
P&A Distributor of the Year
For this award we single out the high achievers in the parts and accessories distribution sector. Judges will consider sales performance, customer service and commitment to an orderly marketplace.
Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
Specialist Distributor
Some distributors specialise in particular sectors of the industry, whether it’s BMX, triathlon, CX, e-bikes or anything else – this is the award for them. Judges will consider sales performance, customer service and commitment to an orderly marketplace. Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
There are also sales and marketing awards that distributors can get involved with – for more on them, skip to the ‘other awards up for grabs bit’…
Are you a retailer?
If you’re at the retail coalface, these are the awards open to you:
Specialist Retailer
Like last year’s Specialist Retailer prize, this award is open to both bricks and mortar and online retailers. Judges will consider reliability, range, customer service, product knowledge and commitment to an orderly marketplace. Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
Online Store
Like it says on the tin, the Online Store award is for the retailers operating via the worldwide web. Judges will consider reliability, range, customer service, product knowledge and commitment to an orderly marketplace.
Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
Mainstream Retailer
This new award will draw together the best examples of bicycle retailing from mainstream retailers who also operate in other sectors. Judges will consider product knowledge, range and commitment to an orderly marketplace. Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
Best Retail Event
Up and down the country, bike shops are putting on events to drive business and engage their communities, local or national. We’re seeking the best of these for the Best Retail Event shortlist. Judges will consider popularity of event, community engagement (cyclist and non-cycle customers) and originality.
Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
In-store experience
Has your store got an outstanding layout? Maybe a ground-breaking piece of point of sale? A bike fit offering without compare? We want to know about it for the In-Store Experience Award shortlist. Judges will consider originality and look, as well as impact. Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
Workshop Services
The Workshop Services category is open to not only top performing shop workshops, but also to workshop-only businesses, servicing companies working with hire or business fleets, service centres and similar. Judges will consider organisation, customer communication, popularity and level of training of staff.
Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
In addition there will be two further BikeBiz Retail awards – Star Store and Independent Bike Dealer award.
Star Store will be decided by our own undercover reporter Mystery Shopper, based on shop visits. Independent Bike Dealer will be shortlisted from our 2014 Top 20 IBDs feature, which will then be voted by our judging panel.
What other awards are up for grabs?
Aside from the retail and distribution categories, there will be an award for you in this selection:
Bike Brand of the Year
Folders, BMX, MTB, road, CX… if it’s a bicycle brand, it can be in the running for the Bike Brand of the Year award. Judges will consider commercial success, innovation, marketing and performance.
Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
P&A Brand of the Year
Gloves, bars, pegs, lights…P&A brands can enter for our awards in the P&A Brand of the Year category. Judges will consider commercial success, innovation, marketing and performance.
Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
Marketing Team
Whether working for distributors, directly for brands, retailers or agencies, marketing teams can enter the running for the Marketing Team Award. Judges will consider creativity and execution, reach and impact on sales. Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
Sales Team
Got a team that has delivered an impressive sales feat? Pioneered a new product or outperformed expectations? Then you can enter them into the Sales Team award. Judges will consider sales performance, customer service and commitment to an orderly marketplace.
Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
Retailer Services
There are a number of hard-to-categorise companies that nevertheless provide an important set of services to retailers, whether that’s bespoke POS specialists, C2W providers, associations or something of a similar ilk. Judges will consider reputation in the industry, impact on retailer business and reputation and commercial success. Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
Training
Mechanic training is the obvious one here, but sales trainers and all manner of other training can benefit the businesses working in the bicycle business. We honour them with the Training Award. Judges will consider reputation in the industry, impact on retailer business and reputation, and commercial success.
Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
Cycling Advocacy Achievement
There’s been no shortage of hard work by advocates to encourage cycling in the UK. In this award we will shortlist the best. Judges will consider level of publicity and the campaign’s impact on cyclist and potential cyclists. Lobby us at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk.
Remember, lobbying deadline is Monday July 21st.
Based on the email nominations, the team at Intent Media will create a list of finalists for each category. This process involves looking at the performance of those nominated over the past year, plus the information provided by the lobbying emails. We DON’T base finalist positions on the number of emails we receive about a particular individual or company or brand.
The finalists for each category are presented to a panel of over 50 judges from the industry. These judges ultimately choose the winners of each BikeBiz Award. Note: judges can NOT vote for their own brands or colleagues.
If you’ve still got a question please let us know at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk or on 01992 535 646. For sponsorship opportunities contact Jake.Adams@intentmedia.co.uk or on 01992 535 647.
And the winner is…
You can find out who wins the 2014 BikeBiz Awards in person at the Crown Plaza Birmingham NEC, just a stone’s throw from the NEC exhibition hall setting of Cycle Show. The BikeBiz Awards night is Wednesday September 24th, the night before the trade day of Cycle Show. Take a look at the gallery from last year’s shindig here.
