The rise of Halfords?

pottssteve

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/news ... power.html

Freddie Flintoff and Lawrence Dallaglio drinking themselves around Europe doesn't make me want to rush out and buy a Boardman, but maybe the average punter wanting to get into riding might take an interest?

p9uma

Interesting read.

"But the major brands – Giant, Trek and Specialized – refused to supply the high street retailer."

I wonder if that is something any of those brands now regret?

Redhog14

p9uma wrote:

Interesting read.

"But the major brands – Giant, Trek and Specialized – refused to supply the high street retailer."

I wonder if that is something any of those brands now regret?

I would say No they most likely do not regret it, the longer term issue for any manufacturer in getting into bed with a big retailer is that the tail can end up wagging the dog. For example, I know of a big farmer who signed a deal with a v large supermarket to supply his (very good quality) veg, he now would do anything to get out of it because he has to comprimise his standards to suit the "just in time" delivery system, so now his product is not as good as it was when the supermarket came knocking on his door.

I still see a lot more Giant, Trek and Spesh than I do Carrera or Boardman.

Gizmodo

p9uma wrote:

Interesting read.

"But the major brands – Giant, Trek and Specialized – refused to supply the high street retailer."

I wonder if that is something any of those brands now regret?

I also suspect that a large retailer like Halfords would demand a very high discount on the products. At the moment I'm sure that Giant, Specialized, Trek et al dictate the cost price, retail price and maximum discounts much more because they use smaller retail outlets (LBS) rather than a giant.

I know when I worked for a manufacturer who were supplying electrical goods to a large and well know high street chain that we never made any money out of it and they would ask for bribes in the form of marketing budget in exchange for putting our product into a more prominent area of their stores etc.

raymondo60

I like my Boardman - a Pro CX from Halfords online - and I do buy the odd spare or component from them if I'm in the area - although I mainly buy online or from my (very good) LBS. However, my experience suggests Halfords are not a good bike retailer, and while their market share, as a national retailer, may appeal to manufacturers like Trek/Spesh/Giant etc, buying a 'proper' bicycle requires much more sales assistance than Halfords can supply, if my local branch is an example. I quite often re-route people (usualy families buying a 'first proper' bike for the offspring) from Halfords to my LBS because I see them being sold inappropriate bikes or given incorrect information, not because I have any desire to deny Halfords the sale, but because buying a bicycle for a 10-year old is an important decision and should be based on more than just what's available in the shop. I watched as a young sales- assistant tried to sell a bike to a young family this very weekend - it was quite excrutiating - and I felt it my duty, while the lad disappeared with another question to answer, to politely inform them that the LBS would have better bikes in stock, be prepared to order one in the correct size/colour etc, and would servce and maintain it too, AND provide a better price. As a general retailer I like Halfords - I buy lots of motoring stuff from them - but buying a bike, especially for the uninitiated, is too important to trust to a retailer who cannot supply specialist service and advice.

Cressers

There is also the question of brand image to consider. Being sold through Halfords is likely to b*gg*r it.

rolf_f

Redhog14 wrote:

p9uma wrote:

Interesting read.

"But the major brands – Giant, Trek and Specialized – refused to supply the high street retailer."

I wonder if that is something any of those brands now regret?

I would say No they most likely do not regret it, the longer term issue for any manufacturer in getting into bed with a big retailer is that the tail can end up wagging the dog.

Don't think that would apply to the brands mentioned - they are pretty big themselves. Different for Boardman who needed Halfords as a springboard.

Cressers wrote:

There is also the question of brand image to consider. Being sold through Halfords is likely to b*gg*r it.

I doubt that's really relevant. The only brand image issue for Halfords is amongst bike snobs. Most Giants, Specializeds etcs are not bought by the forum inhabiting fraternity. People who buy from Halfords mostly won't know or care that there is a snobbery issue. Different at the high end of course.