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UK bike sales hit 20-year low but long-term outlook remains positive

22 Feb 2023

The Annual Market Data Report for 2022 from The Bicycle Association (BA) reports annual cycle sales in the UK fell to 1.88 million units in 2022, a 20-year low, 27% below pre-COVID levels in... Read more…

Nottingham revealed as UK’s best spot for homebuyers who want a thriving indie retail scene

13 Feb 2023

New research by estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, has analysed the number of independent shops found across 15 major UK cities to find which presented the most independent retail... Read more…

New data reveals the most and least expensive retail rental areas in the UK

13 Feb 2023

New data from insolvency specialists Real Business Rescue, which analysed current commercial retail listings to find the most and least expensive areas in the UK for business owners to open... Read more…

Tackling retail crime a priority, says Policing Minister

13 Feb 2023

The Policing Minister Chris Philp has said that tackling retail crime is a priority.
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The 1975 named as ambassadors for this year’s Record Store Day

13 Feb 2023

Record Store Day has unveiled indie rock band The 1975 as this year’s RSD ambassadors.
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Bike prices predicted to fall in 2023 due to excess stock, but not across the board

6 Feb 2023

Predictions of a slowdown in demand for bikes may contribute to an industry-wide decrease in prices, with the Bicycle Association reporting UK bike sales down by a quarter against Covid levels.
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Nearly two thirds of consumers committed to sustainability despite cost-of-living pressures

2 Feb 2023

A new report from Shopify has shown that sustainability conscious shopping is on the rise. Consumer interest in green products has remained robust, despite inflation and other economic... Read more…

Shop price inflation hits record heights & peak is yet to arrive

2 Feb 2023

Shop prices have reached record highs after inflation accelerated in January, with a warning that the peak is yet to arrive.
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Proposed deposit return scheme could put strain on indie retailers

2 Feb 2023

A new deposit return scheme announced by the Government to make it easier for people to recycle plastic bottles and drink cans will put a strain on independent retailers, according to industry... Read more…

Shop occupancy rates improve despite cost-of-living crisis

30 Jan 2023

The number of shops lying vacant on British high streets fell during the final three months of 2022, despite pressure on both companies and consumers from the rising cost of living.
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Confront the recession head on, says the ACT.

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

Cycle retailers around the UK facing up to the imminent challenges of recession will need to stay one step ahead of the curve to survive. Now is the time to benefit from being part of something bigger and by joining the UK’s largest retail organisation – the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT) - IBDs will not only find access to the wide portfolio of essential business services but also the day-to-day support that is often needed during these hard-hitting times.

ACT

“The retail sector is facing significant challenges, with pressure on household budgets and disposable incomes and the Bank of England predicting that the UK could be facing its longest recession since records began,” explains the ACT’s Jonathan Harrison. “And there are signs that this is already affecting the cycle retail sector. It was reported in August that UK bike sales were down a quarter on pre-pandemic levels. Total cycle market volume and value were down by 28% and 26% respectively in the first half of 2022 compared with the first half of 2021. Recovery is now likely to be slower than once anticipated.”

But, Harrison adds, with strength in numbers, the ACT, the Association of Cycle Traders, provides a face for the cycle retail sector, leveraging support from both its membership and across the industry to deliver for its more than 4275 entities, which range from mobile mechanics and garden workshops to some of the sector’s largest brands, including Madison, ZyroFisher and Giant.

“Whilst the ACT community has increased by more than 30% in last the last five years, the average cost of ACT membership has reduced by a similar figure over the past four years,” he continues. “So we think cycle retailers will really benefit from being part of something bigger.”

But what are the key benefits you get for that membership?

1.    If you take card payments face-to-face, over the phone or online – or if you’re new to card payments – the ACT new partnership with Tyl by NatWest could make it easier for your customers to pay you in a fast, secure way.  If you sign up and pay for your membership – and silver membership costs just £60 per annum - and then sign up with Tyl you’ll get £120 credit added to your Tyl account – no brainer. Plus other benefits too, from next-business-day settlement to a range of card machines and virtual payment options, plus simple and fair pricing.

2.    Consumer demand to spread the cost of purchasing bikes over a longer period is currently bigger than ever. ACT’s retail finance scheme – in partnership with V12 Retail Finance - delivers the highest conversion/sales rate of any similar scheme and is worth over £100m p.a. to the cycle industry. The ACT work with V12 Retail Finance to provide all-important market knowledge and to ensure their finance products – including integration - are just the right fit for the cycle trade.

3.    Access and discounts to Cytech, the most recognised and lauded technician training and accreditation scheme internationally assures the future for workshops and technicians. Cytech now delivers training via SEVEN locations across the UK, including a new centre in Scotland that opened in October as well as FIVE locations in Australia and a presence in South Africa and Canada with more to follow in 2023. Your ACT membership will give you the opportunity to get all your specialist retail staff into the Cytech programme at a significant discount.

4.    ACT is also a founding member of the Independent Retailers’ Confederation, making the case to Government and others on the importance and value of independent retail, particularly crucial in this economically volatile times. As an ACT member, you are automatically a member of the IRC community of more than 100,000 specialist retailers across the UK.
 
But there are 15 other essential business benefits to your membership including discounts on business insurance; Retail Finance Training; Tax investigation protection, and unlimited jobs advertising.

What are you waiting for? To join the ACT, click here: www.cycleassociation.uk/join-the-act/

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