BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — As this unforgettable year comes to end, retailers are eager for a little off-season rest, but anxious about the prospects for 2021. Will they have enough supply? Enough workers? Will a soft economy or COVID-19 lockdowns curb demand, or has everyone who ever wanted a bike already got one?
For a feature in our December magazine, we touched base with 16 retailers to get their take on the 2020 season and their predictions for 2021. We'll be sharing snapshots from those interviews online over the next two weeks.
Chris Koos, Vitesse Cycle, Normal, Ill.
Our sales are up 20% so far in 2020. Our maintained margin is 45.5%, up 1.5%. I do think demand levels will be strong in 2021. I am less optimistic about our vendors’ ability to deliver enough product.
It appears that we will have product for spring, but only what we are putting on backorder. I doubt we will be able to accommodate special orders.
I will likely be increasing my staff slightly. I would hire any mechanic I could get. They are incredibly hard to find.
