BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Fisher Outdoor Leisure’s Expo last month saw a 40 per cent increase in the number of dealers compared with last year’s show, prompting the firm to brand the show its most successful ever.
Held for the third year at Sopwell House, St Albans, Expo saw seven new brand and numerous product ranges launched, as well as the presence of the huge SRAM Race Support truck, parked up in the grounds where technical seminars were held. FK Day, vice president of SRAM and president of World Bicycle Relief, was also at the show.
Fisher said feedback from the show has been overwhelmingly positive from dealers, press and suppliers.
“Expo is our chance for our customers to come and see the incredible range of brands we offer all in one place and this year we had more exciting products, more visitors through the door and a huge increase in the numbers of dealers attending," said Fisher’s head of Brand Management Nikki Hawyes.
"This really is a reflection of the strength of our business and the depth of our offering both in terms of products and customer service. I want to thank all those who made it to St Albans to see us and hope 2012 will be a successful year for all our customers, supplier and partners.”
We’ve got a show round-up in the latest issue of BikeBiz, and a gallery from the show on BikeBiz’s Facebook page.
Among the show highlights was the first showing of Eastway bikes. Still in the development stage, the bikes – aimed at the urban and commuter market – will arrive in the summer.
Kansi folding bikes, back after a brief hiatus, were re-launched with an incredibly positive response from dealers, said Fisher, with new high standards of build and assembly put into place as well as the marketing campaign which will be rolled out in the coming months. Fisher in-house brand Union 34 features bike luggage aimed at style-conscious commuters, featuring a new fitting system and quality bags with compartmentalisation.
Weldtite’s Pure bike cleaner range also launched at the show, bringing eco-friendly ingredients and recycled packaging together, pitched at environmentally-conscious riders. The range is a Fisher exclusive and the distributor said: "There was an incredible reaction from dealers who saw it as the perfect complement to their current cleaner offering."
Holland’s Yepp childseats were showcased at Expo by sales and marketing director Sven Willems who was on hand to talk dealers through the innovations and unique product features. New shoes from DZR and sunglasses from Carrera were two other brands launched at Expo.
Neil Nusbaum, owner of Hollywood Racks, flew in from California to man the stand, talk to dealers about the new FT3 towball rack and pick winners in a daily competition. After the show Nusbaum praised the show: “It was a first class event, really glad we attended.”
