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Retail

“A pointless waste of time and taxpayers’ money”: Bike shop owner slams cycle lane claiming it forced him to shut down business

Sondec Cycles owner told council the “general public won’t be convinced to give up their cars” in a hilly place like Rotherham

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Ram-raiding thieves smash through front of Watford bike shop

Orbea bike valued at £4,000 taken, with extensive damage also caused to shopfront and stock

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Discounting boosts Canyon’s sales – but squeezes profits

Company expects expects “challenging environment for the bike industry” to continue in 2024

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Wiggle making “considerable trading profit” with administrators “optimistic” over sale of business

Update filed at Companies House says trading at online retailer “has been very positive”

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Frustration at “non-existent” customer service as Cycle Pal website disappears and no sign of orders arriving

Amid numerous reports of buyers' items not arriving, the cycling tools brand's website has closed, with customers left in the dark

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Investigation suggests workers at Shimano’s supplier subjected to “slavery-like” exploitation

Shimano’s Malaysian supplier has been accused of physical abuse and threats, unlawful salary deductions, and unpaid suspension

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Cycling retailers demand changes to “flawed” Cycle to Work scheme that puts “business profits well ahead of cycling development”

The Association of Cycle Traders says Cyclescheme’s recent decision to prevent retailers from charging additional fees on bikes purchased under the scheme was “the straw that broke the camel’s back”

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Wiggle Chain Reaction ditches international websites to focus on UK citing “rising international air freight costs and Brexit”

Administrators of business say that it is proving “incredibly attractive” to potential buyers as sale process continues

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Cycling market downturn worse than expected, says Halfords

UK’s biggest bike retailer claims it is performing better than rivals despite challenging market; meanwhile, London and SE chain Balfe’s Bikes posts loss

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“Misleading” Wahoo Kickr Black Friday deal result of “simple human error”, company says

The deal featured the new Kickr Bike Shift and a year-long Zwift subscription – but one customer complained that the “confusing” offer was a “violation of marketing laws”

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2024 Van Rysel road bikes and kit for newly-named Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale unveiled (and the prices aren’t too outrageous)

AG2R riders will be sat atop bikes from Decathlon's in-house performance road cycling brand in 2024, and the RCR road bike in its team spec will be available in the new year for around £8.5k

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Best Cyber Monday cycling deals live blog: Vitus ZX-1 with SRAM Rival just £1999.99, Orro carbon road bike for under £1k, LifeLine turbo trainer just 15 QUID, Proviz jackets from £40, 71% off Universal Colours, 30-piece Draper Allen set for £12.49 + more

It's that time of the year again! Come check out all the best cycling bargains to be had (we may earn affiliate commission if you make purchases by clicking links to retailers on this page)

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“Would they like the shirt off my back as well?” Bike shop owners fume as Cycle to Work scheme stops retailers charging additional fees

Cyclescheme says removing “unexpected charges” will create “a more positive and fair experience” for customers, but some bike shop owners claim the change will see them lose money on Cycle to Work sales

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“Weak demand” in Europe and US sees Giant’s profits fall by 49%, as Merida’s profits drop by 26%

The Taiwanese manufacturer says that, despite short-term challenges, demand for performance-level products “remains strong”

8

Swytch secures more funding in bid to offer “near-instant delivery”

The e-bike conversion kit startup says the £3.4m funding will help cut delivery times and aid the company's expansion

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Cycloc ceases production, citing impact of Brexit on its business

Award-winning wall-mounted bike storage firm says current trading environment left it with “no choice”

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Wish.com bans e-bike chargers and conversion kits… but charity finds they’re still available on the site

Wish says examples “appear to have circumvented our filters due to incorrect tagging from our merchants”

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Wiggle Chain Reaction’s sales process launched by administrators, with “considerable interest” shown by potential buyers

The sale process is expected to gather pace rapidly, as Hotlines, also owned by WiggleCRC’s parent company, has also entered administration

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Job cuts and restructuring to take place at Raleigh Bikes as it deals with a “challenging market”

The bike manufacturer is also shutting its Parts and Accessories division and will be outsourcing warehousing and logistics to third-party contractors

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Halfords to honour Wiggle Chain Reaction warranties on parts and accessories

"As the leading cycling retailers, we have a responsibility to support the whole market"

6

Rapha announces loss of £12 million, citing cost of living and supply chain concerns

The premium cycling clothing company has now posted a loss for the sixth year running, however an independent auditor identified no uncertainties which could cast a doubt on Rapha's future

40

Wiggle Chain Reaction administrators announce 105 job cuts amid interest from potential buyers

The joint administrators, who are currently preparing the business for sale, said the “decision was not taken lightly”, in the same week Wiggle’s parent company filed for insolvency in Germany

2

More bad news for Wiggle Chain Reaction as parent company files for insolvency

The latest blow for the cycling retail giant will not come as a surprise, days after Wiggle Chain Reaction entered administration and was put up for sale by administrators

2

Continued weak cycling demand blamed as Mips sales fall by a third

CEO Max Strandwitz insisted the helmet technology company can "remain confident about our long-term growth opportunities in the bike sub-category once the market starts to normalise"

4

Frasers Group reportedly mulling bid for Wiggle after online retailer enters administration

Mike Ashley’s business already has presence in cycling market through Evans Cycles and ProBikeKit

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Wiggle Chain Reaction put up for sale by administrators, as expert warns collapse is “just the start of big changes” across bike industry

The retail giant, whose parent company found out last week that it can no longer rely on €150 million of previously committed funding, has said all orders “will continue to be delivered as usual”

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Children’s bike manufacturer Islabikes to cease production after 18 years

"It has been a turbulent and difficult time for the cycle industry as a whole and neither Tim nor Isla wish to continue"

16

Bike industry turmoil: Shimano says global cycling market remains “weak” as segment sales fall by a quarter – and worse to come?

Japanese components giant hails “favourable” response to new groupsets – but sales in key European market are on the slide and forecast to halve in the second half of 2023

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Latest blow for Wiggle Chain Reaction as parent company closes US offices and prepares insolvency filings

Signa Sports United, the owner of Wiggle Chain Reaction Cycles and several other cycling retailers, last week learnt that it could no longer rely on €150 million of committed funding from its parent company

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“I hope anyone who bought recently used a credit card”: Black Friday begins at Wiggle Chain Reaction Cycles… but is it safe to spend with the troubled retail giant?

As rumours spread the beleaguered retail giant has stopped paying suppliers, we give our tips on how not to lose your hard-earned cash should Black Friday turn blacker

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