Best Buy to electrify bicycle sales in 2011

Retail titan Best Buy is keeping electric bikes firmly in its plans for 2011, and will stock a full e-bike range in all of its new five stores next year.

The retailer told BikeBiz that public response to its electric bike range – part of Best Buy’s ‘green tech’ product offering – has been hugely positive, and is ‘core’ to the firms UK strategy.

The US-based retailer has over 1,000 stores across the world, with the first opening on these shores in April this year in Lakeside, Thurrock. The opening was the biggest ever for a Best Buy store anywhere in the world by volume of sales, and the retailer’s move to include e-bikes in its UK portfolio was seen as another sign of the growing momentum in the e-bike sector.

“The electric bicycles that we stock – including from brands such as Gocycle, UltraMotor, Izip and Xero Tech – have been very popular with our customers,” explained Green Tech manager Simon Jessup.

“We recently held a very successful ‘test ride’ weekend at our Hedge End store where we showcased our latest range. Our wider selection of Green Tech products have also been very positively received.

“Green Technology is a core part of our UK strategy, as well as our focus on helping customers make smart decisions about technology and energy usage so they can save money and save energy.”

Best Buy has also linked the electric bike offering with its brand new website, the firm revealed.

“Customers can now take advantage of our ‘Reserve and Collect’ service, where they can choose and buy from a choice of three electric bicycles at our recently launched online shop at www.bestbuy.co.uk. They can then pick up from any of our six current stores. There’s also an extensive range of accessories available to buy online and in the stores, including pumps, lights, helmets, locks, clothing and luggage.”