LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. — Bicycle Retailer and Industry News is looking for retailers to participate in our 2017-2018 State of Retail panel. Shop owners, if you have opinions and want to your voice to be heard, this is the place for you.
Retailers selected for the panel will weigh in on business-related topics affecting the industry. Responses are printed in each issue of the magazine, and State of Retail is one of the most widely read columns in the magazine.
The State of Retail panel is made up of 10 retailers in North America. Shops are selected to represent a diverse cross section of bike retail, geographically and with regard to the customer base they serve. We're looking for shops of all shapes and sizes, from the new and trendy to the seasoned and traditional. Whether you have one store or 25, you're welcomed to join BRAIN's State of Retail panel!
The panel is a one-year commitment and requires retailers to provide timely responses for 18 issues. In order to be considered, retailers must be willing to communicate via email on a regular basis and promptly meet deadlines.
We do our best to provide questions with at least a one-week lead-time, but note that BRAIN's bi-weekly print schedule falls during many shops' busy selling season. Please consider this before applying.
While it is a time commitment, many past State of Retail panelists agree that the experience has helped them better understand their businesses. Topics may include current trends, staffing, service and repair, online competition and opportunities, social events and races, technology, and broader subjects like bike share, mobile repair, e-bikes, trade shows and more.
To apply, please send an email no later than Monday, July 31, outlining why you would be a good fit for the panel and a bit about your market to features editor Val Vanderpool at vvanderpool@bicycleretailer.com.
