Each year over 4.1 million Germans decide to buy a new bicycle, and nearly 70 percent of these bicycles are purchased at qualified retail shops. And yet, the retail trade continues to strive for further improvement. Retailers are preparing for the future in a variety of ways in order to stay competitive and differentiate themselves from cheaper discounters, self-service and DIY stores, and Internet retailers. Ultimately, the customer wins by receiving competent advice, the highest level of service and high-quality bicycles in every price range from specialist retailers.
Every year the global bicycle retail trade – including a total of 41,000 trade visitors from 102 countries – meets at EUROBIKE, which will take place in its 20th edition from August 31 to September 3, 2011, in Friedrichshafen. Since the first EUROBIKE in 1991, the exhibition has been consistently oriented toward the needs of the retail trade.
In Germany alone, there are currently 5.640 sales outlets for bicycles that are classified as specialist retail shops by the German Bicycle Retail Association (VDZ). This classification requires that certain criteria be met in the areas of presentation, advice, as well as sales and repair services. These qualities already represent a major difference between specialist retailers and the self-service and discount markets.
Retailers focus on service
Compared with specialist stores, which, according to the VDZ’s definition, must have a total sales area over 1000 square meters, smaller retailers offer even more comprehensive advice. Consumers appear to value these services highly, since nearly half of all revenues in the industry (€1.021 billion, from a total of €2.151 billion) are generated in retail stores with total annual sales between €100,000 and €1,000,000. Together, sales of replacement parts and accessories (20%) and revenues from repair work (13%) make up one third of the total revenues in the retail trade.
Trends for the upcoming season
Retailers from Germany and around the world can find out about new bicycles coming to market in the 2012 season at EUROBIKE, the world’s largest bicycle trade show. Around 1100 exhibitors from over 40 countries will be showcasing the latest trends and developments during the three exhibition days for trade visitors as well as the final open day, when the exhibition will open its doors to the public.
Test rides at Demo Day
This year numerous retailers and journalists will once again be able to test the latest developments in racing bicycles, e-bikes, recumbent and folding bicycles, as well as city and mountain bikes, at Demo Day in Argenbühl. The event will feature five different bike courses and takes place on August 30, the day before the trade show opens.
Lower admission fees on open day
In the future, the three exhibition days for trade visitors and the open day on Saturday will increasingly differ both in content and structure. With this in mind, the exhibition organizers have continued to optimize the admission fees at EUROBIKE 2011 for trade visitors and consumers. On the open day, the price for a day pass purchased in advance has been lowered to €12. Reduced-price day passes on the open day will cost only €10 when purchased at the exhibition. At the same time, entrance fees during the trade visitor days have been raised slightly. The admission pass covering all four days of the exhibition will cost €40 when purchased in advance, instead of €36. The aim of this new price structure is to better manage the flows of attendees both during the trade visitor days and the open day. The full list of admission fees and further information on EUROBIKE 2011 is available online at www.eurobike-show.com.
Dates set for 2012
This year’s edition of EUROBIKE will take place from August 31 to September 3, 2011, in Friedrichshafen. Also, the dates for EUROBIKE 2012 have already been set: next year the international bicycle trade show will take place from Wednesday, August 29 to Saturday, September 1, 2012.
