NOVATO, CA (BRAIN) Wednesday April 18 2012 3:29 PM MT—Marin Bikes is ending a long-term relationship with the California-based sporting goods chain Sports Chalet. The bike brand is restricting sales to specialty retailers from now own, company officials said.
“This was a tough decision to make," said Thad Fabish, Marin's national sales manager. "While our past relationship with Sport Chalet had been fruitful, our long-term strategy is to position Marin Bikes more in line with dedicated retailers who value having a full line of product to sell and a close sales relationship with their supplier.”
The company will focus on rebuilding its specialty dealer network in Southern California, Nevada and Arizona. "Movement has already begun to cement new partners in the territories," the company said in a press release Wednesday.
In February, Marin was sold to a private investment group based in Europe.
Some Sports Chalet stores sell Fuji and Masi bikes.
Related: Mild winter affects Sports Chalet earnings (February).
