From the Magazine
LEXINGTON, S.C. (BRAIN) — The pandemic-fueled bike boom and aftermath might have caught some off guard in the industry, but not distributor HLC. Data, technology, and workforce investments made shortly before "provided a great foundation for us to provide valuable tools the dealers needed during that pandemic," said Pat McGinnis, HLC's president, who stepped into that role in the spring of 2019 before also being named CEO last year.
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — For our May magazine edition, we asked our State of Retail panel members: What kind of benefits and perks — if any — are offered at your shop? Which benefits are the most meaningful for recruiting and retaining staff?
CARBONDALE, Colo. (BRAIN) — Adam Miller had just returned from the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival in early March when the Revel Bikes owner and CEO reflected on the visit. "It was really enlightening," Miller said. "There were a lot of industry people there this year. It was cool how positive people were: 'Wow, Revel is making these great moves, and it's great to see you growing, even though things are so challenging.'"
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — For our April magazine edition, we asked our State of Retail panel members: What are the most profitable categories in your store currently, and have they changed since COVID-19? Which categories have you dropped or added?
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (BRAIN) — Andreani doesn’t consider its new U.S. distribution center here a typical clearinghouse for suspension products and tools for mountain bikes and motorcycles.
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — For our March magazine edition, we asked our State of Retail panel members: What percentage of your ‘COVID customers’ are still riding? What programs or initiatives do you usually implement to keep people on their bikes and how does your local community foster cycling?
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — For our February magazine edition, we asked our State of Retail panel members: How have you been affected by the glut of product currently in the market, and what are you and your suppliers doing to manage the situation?
HILDEBRAN, N.C. (BRAIN) — DeFeet founder Shane Cooper fondly remembers when the brand's socks were "the currency of the trade shows" in the 1990s as industry types would trade them among themselves.
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — For our December magazine edition, we asked our State of Retail panel members: What plans and predictions do you have for your business in 2023?
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — E-bike sales in the U.S. have grown 300% in the past five years. More and more retailers are saying, "E-bikes are our future." Despite the rosy glow around the category, there are concerns among the movement's leaders. So let's take a look at the five challenges that lie ahead.
KIRKWOOD, Mo. (BRAIN) — Since he began offering ultrasonic carbon fiber inspections in June, St. Louis-area carbon repair and paint shop owner Nick Hand has found manufacturing defects in two bikes that showed no signs of damage.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BRAIN) — With Clint Spiegel leading an Industry Nine manufacturing tour, you'll need to hustle to keep up. His enthusiasm for what he and his team accomplish daily obviously puts a spring in his step. He's not so much in a rush as he is just excited to show and tell his company's story of quickly becoming one of the bike industry's most iconic and innovative brands.
As consumer demand tapered off (how could it not?) and pandemic back-orders came trickling (or flooding) onto shop floors, some discounting became inevitable.