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Cycling Scotland emphasises difference between legal and illegal e-bikes and praises work of E-Bike Positive campaign

18 Sep 2025

Cycling Scotland has highlighted the crucial distinction between legal and illegal e-bikes, warning that confusion risks undermining public trust in a technology that is helping thousands switch... Read more…

Barber shop proves it's a cut above the rest picking up coveted British retailers award

2 Sep 2025

A barber's shop in Northern Ireland has proved that it's a cut above the rest by picking up the inaugural Love Your High Street Award 2025, following a public vote that attracted over 2,230... Read more…

Independent retailers face Fresh challenges as UK inflation climbs to 3.8%

20 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has expressed serious concern following today's announcement that UK inflation rose to 3.8% in July, higher than the expected 3.7% and marking the tenth consecutive month... Read more…

Bike industry continues to face challenges as profits and forecasts falter at Giant, Canyon and Shim

14 Aug 2025

The global bike industry remains under pressure as Shimano, Giant and Canyon all report weaker profits and subdued outlooks for 2025.
Read more…

ACT to join industry leaders at brand new cycling trade event this September

13 Aug 2025

The ACT is set to be in attendance at the inaugural Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) trade show, which is set to bring together industry-wide education, market insight and product showcases... Read more…

Independent retail crisis deepens as nearly half see sales plummet compared to last year

12 Aug 2025

Britain's high street crisis has deepened dramatically with nearly half of independent retailers, including many in the independent cycling retail sector, reporting sales have crashed compared... Read more…

Independent retailers slam £5.9bn "de minimis" import loophole as Government delays action

11 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has condemned the Government's inaction over the "de minimis" import loophole following a Sky News investigation revealing £5.9 billion worth of cheap imports... Read more…

Criminals undermining legitimate retailers as trading standards collapse

7 Aug 2025

Bira has warned that criminals are undermining legitimate retailers as trading standards services collapse, following a new Which? investigation.
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ACT welcomes Government's new product safety laws

23 Jul 2025

A leading cycle traders association has backed the government's move to protect consumers from dangerous products sold through online marketplaces, following Royal Assent of the Product... Read more…

Small Business Strategy Inquiry 2025 - ACT and Bira call for members to share their voice

20 Jun 2025

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has asked the ACT, and its parent company Bira, to help them reach out to small business retailers across the country, for their quick input on... Read more…

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ACT partner NearSt praised in Forbes for being the retail technology that could save the high street

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

ACTNearSt logo members can receive excellent benefits with NearSt, a powerful platform that encouragers more shoppers through the doors of specialist cycle shops.

NearSt was recently featured in Forbes for being an exciting new technology which could save bricks-and-mortar retail, with the article detailing information about a London-based trial.

 

Increasing footfall to London's biggest shopping streets

A world-first trial of the NearSt tech recently took place with the aim of driving more shoppers to some of London's best-known shopping streets in Mayfair and Belgravia. NearSt used Google Local Inventory Ads to promote real-time in-store inventory information from nearby shops including Creed, Pringle of Scotland and VICKISARGE to local shoppers. Not only is the shopping experience innovative for retailers, but it is deeply practical for shoppers, too. 

The goal was to draw online shoppers into 15 fashion, jewellery and health and beauty physical retailers, and was mainly focussed on the iconic Elizabeth Street and Mount Street shopping streets. 

As NearSt co-founder and CEO Nick Brackenbury explains, "We already knew that shoppers were going online to find products in their local stores, but we didn't realise just how impactful an entire street working together could be." 

The technology worked effectively to intercept customer journeys which started online - and drive them in-store.

 

High street success


The trial was a success, with 36% of shoppers visiting the targetted streets arriving after seeing one of the Local Inventory Ads in Google.

The footfall also translated into cash: An estimated 815 shoppers were driven to the targeted streets, spending an estimated £165,000 between them.

With NearSt's technology proven to increase high street footfall, we could see this implemented to other shopping districts in the country sooner rather than later.

NearSt's Nick Brackenbury says that we can expect this technology to become the norm, "Within two to three years, having a live view of what's on a shop's shelves visible in places like Google, Facebook, Instagram and other major platforms will be a basic expectation from customers - much like having opening hours and telephone numbers is in Google Maps today."

 

How ACT members can benefit

NearSt is leading the way in driving online shoppers' back to bricks and mortar retailers. 

NearSt's mission is to get people back onto UK high streets by making shopping from real shops easier and faster than buying online. Their powerful platform drives in-store footfall by automatically connecting the products currently hidden on shop shelves to Google's local inventory search through a simple integration with a business's Point of Sale system.

This enables customers to quickly and easily find what they are looking for in-store, supporting local businesses and curtailing the flow of business to online retail giants.
  • Boost in-store footfall
  • Better connectivity with your local community
  • Instant setup: get your stock online in less than 10 minutes
  • Automatic feed: Your shop's inventory displayed directly in Google search (no manual data entry required)
  • Insight: see which of your products are most popular with local shoppers searching near your store
  • Exclusive setup discount for ACT members (usually £299)
  • No ongoing costs
  • Free NearSt PLUS trial worth £100: run highly targeted Local Inventory Ads to shoppers searching nearby at the top of Google

Click the button below to find out more or email info@theact.org.uk.

Find out more

 

 

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