{$inpagemarkup}

Search News

Results: 1-10 of 606


Christmas and New Year message from ACT Director Jonathan Harrison

23 Dec 2025

An end of year message from Jonathan Harrison, Director of the ACT.
Read more…

Scottish Government urged to cut business rates for indie retailers

11 Dec 2025

ACT parent company Bira has called on the Scottish Government to follow Wales's example and introduce genuine business rates reductions for retail premises ahead of the Scottish Budget on 13... Read more…

Independent retailers to see rates bills soar by up to 15% despite government's "transformation" promises

2 Dec 2025

Independent retailers across the UK are facing business rates increases of up to 15% next year despite government promises of the "lowest tax rates since 1991", ACT parent company Bira has... Read more…

UK's E-Bike Positive campaign to be adopted by the BA & ACT

1 Dec 2025

As of Thursday 1st January 2026, the E-Bike Positive campaign will fall under the joint guardianship of the Bicycle Association (BA) and the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT).
Read more…

Cycle to work scheme escapes cap but ACT warns Budget fails cycle retailers on business rates and imports

26 Nov 2025

The ACT has welcomed the Government's decision not to impose a cap on the cycle to work scheme, calling it "common sense prevailing" after weeks of speculation threatened a vital sales tool for... Read more…

Independent retailers reject Black Friday as three-quarters refuse to participate

24 Nov 2025

More than three-quarters of independent retailers, including some of those in the cycling retail sector, are boycotting Black Friday this year, rejecting pressure... Read more…

Stop being a dumping ground for used e-bike batteries

11 Nov 2025

Used e-bike batteries are piling up because too many suppliers are failing to meet their legal obligations and it’s time to stop being polite about it, writes ACT Director Jonathan... Read more…

Independent retailers urge Chancellor - Boost business confidence or risk killing growth before it starts

7 Nov 2025

Britain's independent retailers, including those in the cycling retail sector, are calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use the autumn budget to restore... Read more…

Independent retailers report worsening retail crime crisis as confidence in police response

17 Oct 2025

A shocking 83% of independent retailers say theft has worsened over the past year, whilst the vast majority of crimes now go unreported due to lack of police response, according to ACT parent... Read more…

ACT member gains coverage in local media thanks to focus on maintaining independent cycling retail presence

14 Oct 2025

ACT member Cyclo Monster has been recognised by local media for its commitment to keeping Derby’s cycling scene independent, community-focused and thriving.
Read more…

Back to news menu

Reinventing yourself to succeed

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

business success The High Street isn't failing, it is buoyant and flourishing.

What is failing are the businesses without a plan, without innovation and without drive.

As businesses, you want to go back to the basics; product, price and people.

You want to reinvent yourself and your business through your people. People are the most important asset of a business.

Today:

  • Drive commercial layout
  • Drive innovation
  • Drive a confident team

You want to drive sales through the shop floor layout, drive sales with an engaged team and drive your sales through innovation and new initiatives.

Drive commercial layout

Today's customer demands an exciting experience, they want to shop in an interesting environment that is memorable.
Visual merchandising is important, so start increasing your sales through improved £££ per square foot. Think about point of sale (POS)! Your shop's entrance should be a best seller or non-distressed offer. Your entrance should change every couple of days because it's what people notice first.

Footfall numbers in today's day and age aren't as important as conversion rates based on a target. Footfall is something you can only influence to an extent. Make targets, meet targets and then drive those targets higher and higher.

Drive innovation

Visual merchandising, hotspots, themes and focal points are your key to best sellers. There are key focal points around your stores so utilise them in the best way.

hotspots 

Drive a confident team

Your team is the most important asset to your business.

Give your team goals and reward their success.

Start small and think about bringing your sales up by 10-20% and grow from there.

You want to invest in your staff. That could be through ideas or incentives but get your staff out into the store rather than behind the till, engaging with customers about the products they are passionate about.

One of the biggest things that stores fall short on is the add-on sale. Start communicating with your customers, a lot of customers don't randomly wander into stores, they are there for a reason even if that reason is merely curiosity.

The add-on sale is a forgotten version of sales, every fifth person says yes. The add-on sale isn't about being pushy but rather about communicating and serving the customer.

You want to reinvent yourself and your business all the time.

This doesn't mean changing what you sell but changing how you sell

 

 

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.