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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%

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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…

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13 Aug 2025

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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…

Beyond the discount: Restoring integrity to the cycle supply chain

18 Jun 2025

The Association of Cycle Traders believes the time has come for greater accountability throughout our supply chain, writes ACT Director Jonathan Harrison in an article published for BikeBiz.
Read more…

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Seven-in-ten cycle traders boycott Black Friday as cost pressures mount

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

Black Friday Boycott

Seven in ten cycle retailers across the UK will boycott this year's Black Friday sales event, according to a survey of the bicycle trade by the ACT.

The research reveals that 69% of independent bike shops will resist the pre-Christmas discounting period, as rising operational costs and economic pressures continue to impact the industry.

The survey, conducted among ACT's membership, reveals that an overwhelming 82.35% of cycle retailers believe Black Friday negatively impacts independent businesses - significantly higher than the retail sector average of 75.4%.

Jonathan Harrison, ACT Director
Jonathan Harrison, ACT Director

Jonathan Harrison, Director of ACT, said: "Our members are sending a clear message about the unsustainability of Black Friday discounting in the cycle trade. Many report that the event disrupts normal trading patterns, with shops experiencing quiet periods in October and November as customers delay purchases in anticipation of Black Friday deals."

The survey highlighted specific challenges facing cycle retailers, with many reporting they're "already at rock bottom on prices" and unable to compete with larger retailers' buying power.

One retailer noted: "Bike shops now go quiet in October and November because of Black Friday with an expectation of heavy discounting."

The ACT's findings align with a broader national survey of independent retailers conducted by its parent company Bira, which found that 70.5% of all independent retailers across sectors are boycotting Black Friday this year.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira Group, said: "This unified stance against Black Friday discounting reflects a broader trend we're seeing across the independent retail sector. The recent autumn budget announcements, including increased staffing costs, have only reinforced the resolve of independent retailers to resist unsustainable discounting practices."

The survey also revealed that 90.14% of cycle traders said the autumn budget hadn't changed their view on Black Friday, with one respondent stating: "The recent budget rang the death knell of many businesses, with National Insurance, Minimum wage and business rates hikes."

Mr Harrison added: "We're seeing local bike shops caught between rising operational costs and the pressure to match unsustainable online discounts. Our members are choosing to focus on providing year-round value, expert service, and sustainable business practices rather than engaging in what one retailer described as 'a race to the bottom.'"

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