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HALFORDS RIDES THE CYCLING BOOM WITH NEW LONDON FORMAT(Cision Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) HALFORDS today announces the latest stage in its journey as the UK’s largest cycling retailer and confirms plans to introduce an innovative new cycling-only store format in central London, under the Cycle Republic brand. Following an unprecedented year of growth for its cycle business and an explosion of people rediscovering cycling, the retailer is opening its first new site in central London’s Euston Tower which will open its doors in the coming months. Halfords reported a 21.3% increase in its first quarter like for like sales this year including a 35.1% increase in premium-bike sales. Transport for London recently revealed that bikes make up 24% of vehicles on London roads during rush hour and Halfords has designed a new format to reflect the London cyclist. Offering customers exclusive premium editions, an extensive range of parts, accessories and clothing, this cycling one stop shop will cater for cyclists in the busiest commuter areas. The award-winning Boardman performance range will be one of the many brands on offer in-store, along with a full suite of female-specific bikes and accessories to appeal to women cyclists. The retailer’s entire range will be available to customers via click and collect. The new store’s cycle mechanic team will offer repairs and servicing at competitive prices and the Halfords Cycle2Work scheme will give people tax-free access to a comprehensive choice of cycling products. Cycle Republic director, Peter Kimberley said, “We have the opportunity to bring something different to the marketplace in central London – new and unique ranges for the urban cyclist and an expert team offering servicing and repairs. “Our new stores will offer range, expertise and convenience, helping to make cycling more accessible for Londoners and supporting more people getting on their bikes.” Further stores will open in London in spring 2015, with potential for more sites to open across the UK. ENDS [image] Louise Iles Email: [email protected] Tel: 01527 513206 Halfords is the UK's leading retailer of automotive, cycling and leisure products and, through Halfords Autocentres, also one of the UK's leading independent car servicing and repair operators. Halfords customers shop at 465 stores in the UK and ROI and at halfords.com for pick-up at their local store or direct home delivery. Halfords Autocentres operates from around 300 sites nationally and offers motorists dealership-quality MOTs, repairs and car servicing at affordable prices. The Halfords group strategy is based on three pillars: · Supporting Drivers Of Every Car · Inspiring Cyclists Of Every Age · Equipping Families For Their Leisure Time The Getting Into Gear strategy for the Retail business is based on executing in five key areas in order to deliver a significantly-enhanced customer experience: · Service Revolution · The H Factor · Stores Fit to Shop · 21st Century Infrastructure · Click with the Digital Future Halfords employs approximately 12,000 colleagues and sells around 9,000 product lines in store, increasing to around 160,000 Retail products online. The Retail offering encompasses significant ranges in car parts, cycling products, in-car technology, child seats, roof boxes and camping equipment. Halfords’ own cycling brands include Apollo, Carrera and Boardman cycles, augmented by a range of other brands of cycles and accessories, including Kona, Mongoose, Raleigh and Pinarello. In Auto, the Halfords Essentials and Halfords Enhanced ranges are sold alongside brands such as Generic Electric, Bosch, Garmin and TomTom. The Retail Auto offering was recently augmented by the introduction of Car Parts Direct, a service delivering rapid customer access to around 130,000 car parts. In Travel Solutions, Halfords sells a premium range of camping equipment including brands such as Vango and Outwell. Halfords offers customers expert advice and a fitting service called ‘wefit’ for car parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems, and a ‘we repair’ service for cycles. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.comhttp://news.cision.com/halfords/r/halfords-rides-the-cycling-boom-with-new-london-format,c9648184The following files are available for download:http://news.cision.com/halfords/i/cr,c1550595 CR (c) 2014 Cision. All Rights Reserved. |