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29 Aug 2025

Pre-registration has now opened for the very first Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) show, taking place on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 September 2025 at NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

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13 Aug 2025

The ACT is set to be in attendance at the inaugural Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) trade show, which is set to bring together industry-wide education, market insight and product showcases...

12 Aug 2025

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11 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has condemned the Government's inaction over the "de minimis" import loophole following a Sky News investigation revealing £5.9 billion worth of cheap imports...

7 Aug 2025

Bira has warned that criminals are undermining legitimate retailers as trading standards services collapse, following a new Which? investigation.

1 Aug 2025

A number of ACT members and partners have been named among the final nominees for the 2025 BikeBiz Awards, which celebrate excellence across the UK cycle industry.

30 Jul 2025

A former student of South Africa’s Torq Zone Academy has taken a major step forward in cycling mechanic training after completing the prestigious UCI Level 3 Mechanics Course in Aigle,...

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Seven-in-ten cycle traders boycott Black Friday as cost pressures mount

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

Black Friday Boycott

Seven in ten cycle retailers across the UK will boycott this year's Black Friday sales event, according to a survey of the bicycle trade by the ACT.

The research reveals that 69% of independent bike shops will resist the pre-Christmas discounting period, as rising operational costs and economic pressures continue to impact the industry.

The survey, conducted among ACT's membership, reveals that an overwhelming 82.35% of cycle retailers believe Black Friday negatively impacts independent businesses - significantly higher than the retail sector average of 75.4%.

Jonathan Harrison, ACT Director
Jonathan Harrison, ACT Director

Jonathan Harrison, Director of ACT, said: "Our members are sending a clear message about the unsustainability of Black Friday discounting in the cycle trade. Many report that the event disrupts normal trading patterns, with shops experiencing quiet periods in October and November as customers delay purchases in anticipation of Black Friday deals."

The survey highlighted specific challenges facing cycle retailers, with many reporting they're "already at rock bottom on prices" and unable to compete with larger retailers' buying power.

One retailer noted: "Bike shops now go quiet in October and November because of Black Friday with an expectation of heavy discounting."

The ACT's findings align with a broader national survey of independent retailers conducted by its parent company Bira, which found that 70.5% of all independent retailers across sectors are boycotting Black Friday this year.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira Group, said: "This unified stance against Black Friday discounting reflects a broader trend we're seeing across the independent retail sector. The recent autumn budget announcements, including increased staffing costs, have only reinforced the resolve of independent retailers to resist unsustainable discounting practices."

The survey also revealed that 90.14% of cycle traders said the autumn budget hadn't changed their view on Black Friday, with one respondent stating: "The recent budget rang the death knell of many businesses, with National Insurance, Minimum wage and business rates hikes."

Mr Harrison added: "We're seeing local bike shops caught between rising operational costs and the pressure to match unsustainable online discounts. Our members are choosing to focus on providing year-round value, expert service, and sustainable business practices rather than engaging in what one retailer described as 'a race to the bottom.'"

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