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8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed the Bank of England's decision to reduce interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%, calling it a "much-needed boost" for the retail sector, including for cycling...

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has responded to the news that the 144-year-old Beales department store is staging a "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" in its final weeks of trading, with giant yellow...

2 May 2025

Could the UK cycling industry be showing signs of renewed momentum? Following a challenging period marked by falling sales and overstocked inventories, overall trends and sales figures from...

2 May 2025

The Netherlands is set to legalise electric scooters and other light electric vehicles on public roads from July 2025, provided they are registered and display a license plate.

30 Apr 2025

The ACT has welcomed the announcement of a parliamentary inquiry into e-bike products not meeting safety regulations, which has been launched “in context of dangerous low-quality e-bike...

29 Apr 2025

Edinburgh has been named the UK’s top city for bike commuting, with 10.00% of its workforce choosing to cycle to work, according to new research.

28 Apr 2025

The Labour Government’s new Employment Rights Bill is set to be in force this year and the new regulations will impact high street retailers up and down the country.

25 Apr 2025

ACT parent company Bira welcomes the Chancellor's announcement of plans to create a level playing field for British businesses against unfair international trade practices.

15 Apr 2025

Retail Crime Remains Alarming - Bira's Latest Survey Reveals Urgent Need for Action

11 Apr 2025

Bira has cautiously welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement this week on plans to put 'thousands of Bobbies back on the Beat' with a new neighbourhood policing guarantee.

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Takeover of Wiggle is a chance for small bike businesses, says clothing CEO

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

CEO of UK cycle clothing and accessories brand Lusso has said that the takeover of Wiggle by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group represents an opportunity for small bike businesses to benefit from.

Lusso

Speaking to Cycling Weekly, Jake Wright said:

"There's definitely opportunities there now, because it's more than likely that the Wiggle-owned brands like DHB won't be trading for a year or two while it gets under new management and restarts again."

"So we're looking to capitalise on where those customers are going to go in the short term. And hopefully they like us, and they come back to us. We don't have this massive budget to spend on marketing to shout about our name, so we rely on the sort of loyal following that we've amassed over the last 40 years to just keep coming back."

Wiggle CRC entered administration in October and was put up for sale after its parent company, Signa Sports United, had €150 million in financial guarantees terminated.

Lusso makes its own clothing in its small Manchester-based headquarters, and like other manufacturers and retailers its size, doesn't have the marketing budget of global giants like Wiggle CRC. Wiggle had so much clout that its recent closing down sale had a significant effect on Lusso's financials for the last quarter of 2023, Wright said, as customers flocked to buy goods at rock-bottom prices.

This does mean that small businesses offering only entry-level kit could feel the strain, Wright said: "We have an entry-level range, but we offer other things as well, so I think the more premium brands will be fine. Because I don't see Wiggle / Frasers having the reputation to create something that's going to match the likes of say, Rapha, or, you know, like a more premium retailer."

With so many staff and bills to pay for, and inventory to keep moving, the biggest retailers – such as Wiggle – are the least stable, Wright pointed out. Now is the time, he insisted, to support local businesses, small businesses. 

Writing on his Lusso blog  he said: "If current trends continue, we’ll only be left with big corporations running the show. I would encourage everyone to support local bike shops and local businesses if they can. And although recent times have been tough, the future looks promising."

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