News
SAN DIEGO, CA (BRAIN)—BBPR, the San Diego based PR consultancy, is introducing the Lifestyle Communications Audit (LCA)—a review process aimed at helping action sports brands evaluate their communications programs and potentially realize new opportunities that take advantage of existing assets.
BLOOMINGTON, MN (BRAIN)—The Hub Bicycle Co-Op in Minneapolis has contracted the QBP ReTale Program to design a bike-commuter store in the new University of Minnesota (U of M) Bike Center.
![](https://bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/article/1259704116Bike-Peddler-remodel-2.gif?itok=NfJPrwS1)
SANTA ROSA, CA (BRAIN)—Santa Rosa's The Bike Peddler has opened its doors as a Specialized fixture rewards store.
An official grand opening is schedule for this Saturday.
DURANGO, CO (BRAIN)—Two of the outdoor industry’s best-recognized and successful public relations agencies, Verde PR & Consulting and Base Camp Communications, have merged. The new firm will retain the name Verde PR & Consulting.
WATERTOWN, MA (BRAIN)—Do you wonder what it takes to design a new bike? How are design decisions made? That and more will be published on Seven Cycle’s blog, www.sevencyclescollaborative.com.
LEXINGTON, SC (BRAIN)—The Hawley Company purchasing director Dave Carson is leaving the company at the end of the month and will move back to the Seattle area.
WATKINSVILLE, GA (BRAIN)—Tifosi Optics has hired Tom Cox as director of sales and operations.
![](https://bicycleretailer.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/article/1259618604WSSmith.jpg?itok=an4CvEgy)
RALEIGH, NC (BRAIN)—William Sherod (WS) Smith, a retired sales rep who serviced territories in North Carolina for many different companies, passed away on November 20 of complications from ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 69.
BY NICOLE FORMOSA
SAN JOSE, CA—In the four years since Look Cycle left Veltec to form its own U.S. subsidiary, the French manufacturer has more than doubled the size of its business in the states and increased its dealer base by 30 to 40 percent.
BY MATT WIEBE
PHILADELPHIA, PA—As bicycle suppliers tallied their inventory at the end of September, they found overall inventory was 39 percent higher than a year ago and shipments to retailers had dropped 9 percent.
BY JASON NORMAN
SEYMOUR, CT—While lawmakers are busy working on health care reforms in Washington, D.C., suppliers and retailers are also busy—trying to figure out the best way to give their employees quality medical benefits while eyeing the bottom line.
LAGUNA HILLS, CA (BRAIN)—Sportiva Importare USA has reached a long term distribution agreement with the Italian bike brand Viner.
Viner bikes was established in 1947. Since then the company has been hand producing a range of high level frames in its factory in Pistoia, Tuscany.