Retail

Wiggle and Chain Reaction websites shut, with all remaining orders to be “fulfilled within 7-10 days”

One customer managed to bag 15 cycle computers at 99p each before Wiggle and Chain Reaction’s sites were replaced by holding pages yesterday, with all remaining stock and assets set to be sold by Friday

Giant predicts continued short-term “challenge” for bike industry as profits almost halved and sales down 16% last year

Taiwan-based bike brand saw pre-tax profits fall 45% in 2023, but remains "optimistic" with long-term prospects and believes e-bikes are key opportunity to "broaden global cycling population"

Final clear out as Wiggle Chain Reaction Cycles invites bids for remaining warehouse stock

The retailer, which appointed a liquidator this week, has invited interested parties to enter a sales process, with “best and final offers on the stock and assets of the business” expected by 22 March

Ribble Cycles halves losses to £2.3m as bike brand says “very positive step” result of better delivery times and restructuring

The Preston-based manufacturer says stronger supply chain performance has helped ease much-discussed delivery issues, giving customers “confidence to buy” with “robust” 2-3 week targets

Wiggle Chain Reaction parent company appoints liquidators

Latest update comes after Mike Ashley's Frasers Group, which also owns Evans Cycles and Sports Direct, reportedly bought WiggleCRC's brand and intellectual property for less than £10 million, leading to 450 job cuts

“We would have liked to see more going towards cycling”: Frog Bikes co-founder disappointed by little “encouraging kids to cycle” in budget

Jeremy Hunt's budget, including the freeze on fuel duty, was criticised by a leading think tank and Cycling UK, the IPPR saying it is "just tinkering around the edges" of necessary transport changes

It’s our Bike of the Year but should you buy the Vitus Venon EVO-RS Force AXS All-Road bike at 30% discount?

The road.cc Recommends Bike of the Year is listed at a knockdown price, but Wiggle/ Chain Reaction Cycles is in well-publicised financial difficulties

Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group reportedly buys Wiggle Chain Reaction Cycles for less than £10 million

Frasers Group, which also owns Evans Cycles and Sports Direct, has agreed to purchase WiggleCRC’s brand and intellectual property, leading to around 450 job cuts

Supersapiens cancels all memberships and stops shipping glucose sensors amid “strategic restructuring”

Email sent to customers last night explained the decision came "after considerable efforts to navigate an increasingly challenging business environment"

You can now trade in your old bike with Sigma Sports Part Exchange – and they’ll even come and collect it

The online retailer hopes the system makes "it easier for cyclists to upgrade to their dream bikes with a saving"

Halfords share price plunges 25% as retailer downgrades profit forecast amid continued weak cycling demand

The cycling giant blamed poor weather for a slow start to 2024, with cycle sales dropping eight per cent on last year's January numbers and the business's profit forecast downgraded by at least 17 per cent

Cargo bike company Babboe stops sales and tells customers to “immediately stop” riding their bikes due to faulty frames – after “lying” about defects

The Accell Group-owned brand has halted sales of its entire range after finding manufacturing errors and welding defects in frames, amid accusations of a cover up by former and current employees

Mike Ashley set to take over Wiggle Chain Reaction as administrators “close the shutters” amid mass redundancies, sources suggest

The latest job cuts at the beleaguered online giant mean that “almost everyone is gone”, former employees have posted online, as Evans Cycles owner Ashley prepares takeover

Dutch cargo bike company Babboe was “well-aware” of its sale of faulty frames, finds investigation

The Accell Group-owned brand has stopped further sale of its cargo bikes, amidst reports that the staff “had to lie” to customers about the issues

Shimano lost £93 million in sales from its crank inspection programme and total sales down 30% on previous year

Detailing "extraordinary losses" shouldered from the recall and inspection programme of its Hollowtech II cranksets, Shimano reported that the debacle cost the company around £14.5 million, eating into its (still healthy) overall profit margin

BMC applies to cut hours of remaining staff due to falling demand

It is believed the Swiss-based bike brand made some staff redundant in the autumn, and is no longer in the WorldTour after Decathlon–AG2R La Mondiale moved to Van Rysel

2023 saw the worst bicycle sales in the UK since 1985, reveals Bicycle Association report

The bike industry organisation has warned a “long-term continuum of decline is likely without Government intervention”

Cycling clothing brand Mamnick accuses Rapha of “stealing brand message” by using term first popularised during the Falklands War

Mamnick has accused Rapha's 'Yomp Rally' bikepacking event of copying its "cycling philosophy" – however Rapha says "we don't believe the term yomp is owned by anyone" and insists there is "enough separation to coexist peacefully"

More redundancies at Zwift as co-CEO resigns, but company insists “business is healthy” and “our community is growing”

Layoffs come 10 months on from Zwift cutting its workforce by 15 per cent, the latest redundancies coming as the company says it "remains a healthy, global business with a passionate community"

Cargo bike delivery company Pedal Me goes into administration after failing to reach agreement with HMRC over debts

The e-cargo bike company said that shareholders have managed to buy back assets from administration, preserving jobs and offering increased liquidity

Raleigh owner Accell Group to cut jobs and streamline European production to “simplify operations and enhance efficiency”

Redundancies will affect Accell Group's Netherlands-based workforce, with two facilities to merge and some production relocated to Hungary and Turkey

Orange Bikes set to continue after acquiring frame manufacturer and “streamlining” business

The beleaguered mountain bike company, which was put up for sale by administrators this week, says the move will “preserve jobs and reinforce the stability of the Orange brand”

Halfords’ cycling revenue falls owing to “significantly worse than anticipated” bike market, as it continues shift towards motoring services

The retailer said that cycling market volumes were 28% below pre-pandemic levels, but its revenues have increased owing to its auto services

Orange Bikes put up for sale and deemed “unable to continue trading” by administrators

The company has insisted that it will still continue to provide customer service, adding that “good news is on the horizon”

“Cycle to work schemes are sucking the lifeblood out of cycle shops”: Bike shops tell Parliamentary Committee of “need for urgent systemic change” to Cycle to Work scheme

The Association of Cycle Traders was joined by figures from Balfe's Bikes and JE James to meet with MPs, two months on from Cycle to Work provider Cyclescheme preventing retailers from charging additional fees on bikes purchased under the scheme

Bike industry “on the road to recovery”, new research suggests

Market intelligence agency reports new bicycle sales are forecast to climb by 12 per cent in 2024, with Brits set to buy 2.1 million bikes this year

Scam victims warn cyclists of component and groupset deals on Facebook Marketplace

Reports of scams targeting cyclists looking for savings online have re-emerged, with some losing hundreds of pounds

Chain Reaction Cycles announces closing of flagship Belfast store

The ripples of WiggleCRC entering administration continue, with the company launching an ‘everything must go’ sale at the store

Go Outdoors aims to resolve national shortage of cycle mechanics – by offering apprenticeships to store staff

Retailer to provide Cytech-accredited courses to staff with aim of having a mechanic in each store - however, current and former bike mechanics cite low pay and long hours as reasons for the shortages

Bonkers savings on like-new e-MTBs from Privateer

Privateer is selling 'nearly new' e-MTBs with nearly £4k off.