PARK CITY, UT (BRAIN)—Giant Bicycle just wrapped up “The Link,” a meeting with key retailers held over four days in Park City, Utah.
The Link was an opportunity for Giant and its retailers to connect, learn and ride. Giant dealers joined up and heard from Giant's chief executive officer Tony Lo, and general manager Elysa Walk in keynote addresses.
Lo told 120 Giant retailers that the industry is entering a “perfect storm” for success.
“Consumers have greater concern for the environment, and a desire for better physical fitness,” he said. “Combine that with the increase in the price of gasoline and you have this ‘perfect storm.'"
To take advantage of the “perfect storm,” Walk said, “Giant will continue its successful strategy as a retail support organization as opposed to simply a ‘sales company.’”
She told the crowd, “In Giant’s long-term plan to be the best partner it can be to bicycle retailers, the company has a focus on three P’s: people, programs and products.” She explained that Giant has increased personnel in its Retail Development division to assist more dealers that join the flourishing Giant Retail Partner program.
Giant retailers also got their first look at the complete 2009 Giant bicycle product line, including the completely redesigned road bike line. Dealers received comprehensive details on the Giant's Advanced Composite Technology that went into the design of the 2009 TCR Advanced SL.
Scott Irons, owner of Indy Cycle Specialist in Indianapolis, came away from The Link "with a buzz about selling Giant bikes, more so than ever before. I feel very confident about the company, products and our future together.”
Scott Cowan, owner of Century Cycles (with three stores in Rocky River, Medina and Peninsula, Ohio) echoed those comments.
“I was also very pleased to see, and meet, so many people from Giant,” he said. “All the people appear to be top notch, way into the bike thing and totally approachable, which is very refreshing. It makes me want to do more business with a company when a general manager or the worldwide president of a corporation the size of Giant introduces themselves to me and wants to know what I'm thinking. I especially enjoyed listening to Tony Lo speak about the past, present and future vision of the bicycling industry."
Other new bikes in the Giant line for 2009 that retailers saw included the Anthem X. Also, a new bicycle series called “Seek” drew great interest from the Giant dealers. The three models of the Seek are aimed at the modern metro-influenced rider who needs a bike for stylish transportation and social outings.
The Twist Freedom DX, Giant’s Hybrid Cycling Technology bicycle, was also enthusiastically well-received by retailers that recognize the growing need for energy-efficient transportation that combines rider pedal power with a Lithium-ion battery powered motor.
Dealers test rode the 2009 TCR Advanced SL road bicycle, as well as the Defy Advanced and its counterpart in the Giant for Women line, the Avail Advanced. The Anthem X and other Maestro-equipped mountain bikes were also available for retailer demo.
