08/02/2012 (press release: OnlinePR) // Hettie Zammit
Britons have caught the bike bug after stunning success in the Tour de France and this weekend’s Olympics.
Over four out of ten (43%) said they had been inspired by the success of Bradley Wiggins , Mark Cavendish and other British riders to get on a bike, a survey reveals.
Cycle shops have seen a huge surge in interest from customers purchasing top end bikes and race models in recent weeks as interest in the sport driven by Tour de France hero Bradley Wiggins grew.
Research carried out for Halfords found that almost two out of three people (64%) were following cycling on TV while a quarter (24%) said they were thinking of upgrading either their own old model and that of a family member.
Some 77% said they expected British success in the cycling medals table would drive more people to start cycling.
Halfords, the biggest seller of bikes in the UK, said sales of Boardman road bikes were up 12 % over last month and demand for the retailer’s own brand Carrera TdF road bike has soared by 18%, just in the past week.
Customers are either trading up for a new top of the range bike or are returning to cycling and deciding to buy a road bike. Demand for cycle clothing is also well up as people return to the roads following the dismal start to the summer.
It’s not just men who are buying, sales of women’s bikes are also up with Victoria Pendleton’s range of more traditional looking models launched by the pin up girl of cycling in April seeing a rise of over 70% this month compared with last.
In addition, the Cycle To Work scheme where companies obtain a tax discount allowing employees to buy bikes at over 40% discount has seen a 9% increase .
Paul McClenaghan, Halfords Commercial Director said “No doubt many of these consumers have been inspired by the success of Wiggins and all other racers. There has definitely been a TdF bounce and we expect there to be even more interest as a result of the Olympics. Cycling is the sport everyone is talking about and whether as a sport or leisure activity it has never been more popular.”
For more information contact:
Simmie Korotane
Halfords
t:01527 513419
f:01527 504780
e: [email protected]
Hettie Zammit
e: [email protected]
The Group is the UK’s leading retailer of automotive, leisure and cycling products and through Halfords Autocentres is also the UK’s leading independent car servicing and repair operator.
Halfords employs approximately 11,000 staff and sells over 12,000 different product lines with significant ranges in car parts, cycles, in-car technology, child seats, roof boxes, outdoor leisure and camping equipment. Halfords own brands include the in-store Bikehut department, for cycles and cycling accessories, Apollo and Carrera cycles and exclusive UK distribution rights of the premium ranged Boardman cycles and accessories. In outdoor leisure, we sell a premium range of camping equipment, branded URBAN Escape. Halfords offers customers expert advice and a fitting service called “wefit” for car parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems, and a “werepair” service for cycles
Halfords customers shop at 466 stores in the UK and ROI and at Halfords.com for direct home delivery or pick-up at their local store. Halfords Autocentres operates from 227 sites nationally and offers motorists dealership quality MOTs, repairs and car servicing at more affordable prices.
Halfords is the UK’s largest bike and accessories retailer, with over 460 superstores. Our wide range includes road, MTB, BMX, town and trail and includes leading bike brands Boardman, Voodoo and Carrera. We build every bike purchased free of charge and also offer our customers a free six week safety check.
Halfords www.cycle2work.info provides a one stop cycle2work package for employers and employees. As the scheme’s pioneers we are able to supply virtually all bike brands available in the UK through both our own stores and Independent Bike Shop partners.
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