Opinion/Analysis
Linus' sales manager says independent retailers offering multiple brands are the future of bike retail.
The founder of Pedego says the future of bicycle retail is in single-branded stores.
The long-standing BRAIN print column makes its online debut today.
"After almost 50 years in the bike industry, my father, Bill Duehring, has decided to part ways with Felt Bicycles and take some time for himself to focus on family and health," writes Megan Duehring.
Santa Fe retailer Charles Verral says, "We should all be grateful for dealer agreements, preseason commitments, manufacturers' set prices, and other evolving systems like click-to-brick. "
"My challenge to you, the store owner or manager, is to begin paying your best mechanic one-third of your store's hourly labor rate," says James Stanfill.
As a U.S. manufacturer, there are unique major challenges that we face and because of this, we support the administration's additional tariffs on Chinese bicycle racks and components.
I founded Specialized on the belief that cycling changes lives. I’m living proof of that fact.
Michael Fishman provides a glimpse into how a small-business owner is dealing with the recent increase in tariffs on Chinese-made goods being imported into the U.S., including the e-bike tariff that took effect Thursday.
We should consider charging a consulting fee that is relevant and fair but should also be disclosed up front.
Anyone who operates a business within the bike industry knows how challenging things are today. My suggestion is to approach these challenges by viewing your business as a wheel.
WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — Now that the Supreme Court has (almost) resolved the state tax issue for online retailers, the time might be right to push to increase the collection of import duties.
This anonymous guest editorial first appeared in PBMA Mechanics Minute, a weekly newsletter from the Professional Bicycle Mechanics Association.
Barnett Bicycle Institute's Jeff Donaldson says recent industry reports point to the importance of investing in technical training.
Industry veteran Dave Goeppner says adapting to new buying habits will take courage, especially for purveyors of premium products.
Matt Powell, an analyst at The NPD Group, says he's never liked the term "omnichannel" to describe the new sports retail environment.
Industry veteran Dan Sotelo says, "IBDs need to bite the bullet, stop resisting and alienating online consumers, and just face the fact that the internet is here to stay."
Where are you and your staff, at the IBD, getting technical training on an ongoing basis?
BRAIN's editor-in-chief says female consumers are going to vote with their wallets when they encounter sexist marketing campaigns, but it's not BRAIN's job to protect companies from themselves.
Responding to an earlier opinion column, Ray Keener says, "Americans love bicycles, they're just not so crazy about cyclists. I believe that, collectively, we as cyclists can't encourage a change in the law that further erodes the general perception of our ilk."
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