BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Go Outdoors is to create 240 UK jobs with a brand new national cycle concept store expansion plan.
Go Outdoors has been making more noise in the cycle market in recent years, including the launch of its own brand bikes, Calibre. The retailer said it had seen a 100 per cent rise in bike and cycling equipment sales in trial stores.
The concept stores will be launching while Go Outdoors is creating six new superstores. The retailer has opened its first shop in Northern Ireland.
Aiming at "all cyclists below pro" level, the store will be staffed by trained and knowledgeable teams of cycling enthusiasts, Go Outdoors said. As the retailer moves into peak summer season, a total of approx 1,800 jobs will be created from the brand’s expansion into cycling and the launch of the six new superstores.
Go Outdoors claims it will offer expert and honest advice alongside "the widest selection of bikes and equipment in the market". Each concept store will offer everything from road to MTB, fat bikes and everything in between. There will be in-store workshops, bike fitting and servicing too.
The firm named the likes of Orbea, Ghost and Raleigh as brands appearing in the stores, alongside its own calibre brand.
GO Outdoors CEO Chris Matthews said: “We saw over 100% increase in bike and cycling equipment sales in our trial stores signalling that our customers are crying out for great bikes and equipment at great prices.
“The creation of these expansive cycling departments meets customers needs and looks to position GO Outdoors as the go-to retailer for all cyclists below pro. With research from Sport England showing that over 2,000,000 adults in England are now cycling at least once every week, it seems that the nation’s obsession with cycling is set to continue.
“Thanks to this increased investment into cycling, we have the opportunity to bring expertise, passion and, most importantly fantastic cycling equipment at great prices to local communities.”
In total, there will be more than 250,000 sqft of new retail space in the expansion plans (including the new super stores).
