BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Madison has announced that from iceBike* this year, the IBD-focussed e-commerce website Freewheel is opening up to all cycling retailers in the UK and Ireland.
The Freewheel programme was soft-launched in August 2018 and is designed to offer independent bike retailers an online presence to serve their potential customers.
The focus is to drive business to local bike shops either through a reserve and collect service or by receiving commission from all home delivery sales.
Interested retailers are encouraged to attend iceBike* this year to receive details about what the programme entails and how to get involved. There will be daily seminars at the show to explain more.
CEO at Madison Dominic Langan said: “We are really pleased to now be at the stage of being able to open Freewheel up to all of our specialist independent bricks and mortar customers.
“This is an initiative we truly believe could benefit all local bike shops with greater customer awareness, improved footfall and additional sales with no cost of entry. Freewheel is a sophisticated website with complex capabilities to deliver an effective customer experience for our specialist retailer network.
“Madison has invested significant sums of money and resources to facilitate the creation of a nationwide union of specialist independent bicycle retailers. Together we are stronger. You can find out how it all works at iceBike* next month and we look forward to welcoming you to Arena:MK.”
Freewheel works by asking consumers to designate a convenient local bike shop when they make a purchase. From that point on, all commission or collections will go to that shop. Every sale will be attributed to a local bike shop and in the long-term could help local bike shops to compete with big e-commerce websites.
Bike shops and visitors are encouraged to register for iceBike* now.
Address:
Arena:MK
Stadium Way
Bletchley
Milton Keynes
MK1 1ST
