Bike boom is real, reports buoyant Halfords

Cycling has delivered "another exceptional performance," said Halfords’ chief executive Matt Davies in a corporate statement issued earlier today. Cycling sales are up by 21.3 percent. Within that the sales of premium bikes and parts have grown by 35.1 percent. In comparison, car maintenance product sales have grown by just 0.1 percent.

"Halfords continued to drive top-line growth in the quarter, with the cycling category delivering another exceptional performance," said Davies. "Our actions resulted in growth across all elements of cycling reflecting our continued focus in the category."

Davies was responding to the sales uptick reported in the company’s first quarter interim management statement for the 2015 financial year. 

Halfords has today launched what it says is its "biggest ever recruitment drive", and is seeking to add 500 staff across its 467 stores.

"These 500 permanent roles will help us get even more of Britain cycling," said Jonathan Crookall, Halfords’ People Director. 

A statement from Halfords said the "phenomenal growth in cycling" is the result of the "success of the UK’s elite athletes and the continued investment in the country’s cycling infrastructure."