May bike shop sales rollercoaster

Retail sales have been on a rollercoaster ride in 2010. Having shrugged off the winter blues, sales growth was strong at 7.6 per cent in February and April, but slumped to 2.3 per cent in March and just 1.7 per cent in May. A late Easter partly explains the March performance, whilst May proves that cycle sales can be as sensitive to the economy as other consumer goods.

Overall May sales volumes were down – nine per cent on April, with June/July uplifts increasingly dependent upon increased consumer confidence and summer sun.

27 per cent of retailers reported sales growth in excess of 20 per cent vs. 2009, but 26 per cent of retailers reported sales shortfalls in excess of -20 per cent in May.

The UK bicycle market continues to polarise, increasingly impacted by external market influences.

BikeBiz has teamed up with leading cycle trade body ACT and ActSmart to provide exclusive monthly cycle shop sales analysis. For more info visit: http://cycles.actsmart.biz/news/

ActSmart: 0845 6187256