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28 Feb 2025

Independent cycling retailer and ACT member Velo Fit has become the first to stock a new brand of bikes focused on combining quality and affordability.

26 Feb 2025

ACT parent company Bira has cautiously welcomed Labour's Crime and Policing Bill but is calling for urgent action and immediate funding to address the surge in retail crime affecting independent...

19 Feb 2025

Electric cargo bike firm Zedify is set to enter administration following a failed search for new funding, after aiming to be active in 50 cities over the next few years.

18 Feb 2025

Halfords has upgraded its profit expectations for 2025 following a strong end to 2024, signalling a possible boost for the wider cycling retail sector after a difficult period.

17 Feb 2025

A £291m funding package from Active Travel England is set to be used for cycle lanes and improved junctions, while also supporting local businesses and making it easier to cycle to work,...

14 Feb 2025

The UK Government has removed anti-dumping tariffs on non-folding e-bikes imported from China in a move that has raised alarm within the UK’s cycling industry over potential market...

7 Feb 2025

ACT parent company Bira has warned that retailers across Britain face troubled times ahead despite today's Bank of England interest rate cut to 4.5%, as the Bank halves its growth forecast for...

4 Feb 2025

The ACT and legal partner WorkNest are hosting an exclusive webinar on how to remain compliant with employment law while making necessary business changes.

31 Jan 2025

New independent research has confirmed OEM e-bikes are effectively exempt from risk of battery fires, with unsafe post-purchase replacement batteries, conversion kits, and other equipment that...

31 Jan 2025

The UK Government has decided not to go ahead with proposals to increase the maximum power output of e-Bikes to 500W and to permit throttle assistance following a lengthy consultation process.

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Retailer Spotlight - Elmy Cycles Ipswich

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

For our latest retailer spotlight, we spoke with Steven Grimwood from the brilliant Elmy Cycles in Ipswich, who has been working in the cycle trade since he was 14 years old.

Elmy

Last year the business, which is an ACT member, marked its 100-year anniversary, with Steve spearheading the company for over 30 years, having taken over from Mr Elmy in 1992.

Steve explains, “I think the future looks great for independent bike shops - just in the way we are starting to see the resurgence of local book shops and local coffee shops, customers can get tired of the big corporate machine and drift away, looking for something more personal.

“Us indies have a great opportunity to curate interesting product lines, individual niches and react quickly to new products and trends. There are still a lot of questions for the future, like how suppliers can work with our market, perhaps by offering more indie-focused product lines or rotating stock to ensure the right models are on the shop floors. And of course, supporting dealer initiatives.

“One of the biggest mistakes suppliers sometimes make is treating retailers as a customer and not a partner. If they viewed their dealer network as their showrooms to the public, they could make much better use of us and our expertise.”

The Elmy team regularly attends and supports events such as a recent local Cyclo Cross which had over 300 riders present. An Elmy team took part in the ride last month, with Steve dressed as Santa to add to the fun!

“We have just completed a renovation of the store, with a new coffee shop area, function space and showroom. Just last month we hosted an open day with Oliver Bridgewood from Global Cycling Network, with over 90 customers attending a film night at a local cinema and a shop ride the next day.

“The future looks bright; despite the tough times the trade is in right now we have been here before - and it will go full cycle - we will get over this hill.”

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