Is Tesco upping its bike game?

UPDATE: Tesco has since confirmed the rumour to BikeBiz. Read more here.

National supermarket chain Tesco looks set to boost its bicycle retail effort with the creation of ‘mini bike stores’ in larger outlets in the UK and more extensive bike training for its staff.

According to sources in the industry, Tesco’s ‘shop within a shop’ will provide a greater range of product – and advice – than the store has traditionally offered cycle consumers.

Earlier in the week Raleigh moved to quell reports that it was involved in the creation of a Tesco mini bike store concept, and told BikeBiz: “There is absolutely no truth in the rumour whatsoever.”

Tesco’s new Durrington shop – due to open at the end of February (25th) – is reportedly set to include a bike shop among its departments, according to this report from the Worthing Herald. A story backed by sources on the cycle trade-only BikeBiz Forum. Other voices from the industry have reported that Tesco has been training staff to improve its rate of returns.

Tesco’s bike products were recently tested by the BBC Watchdog’s special on Bike Shaped Objects (BSO).

BikeBiz has asked Tesco for its comments on the rumours.