Local bike shop

A local bike shop or local bicycle shop, sometimes abbreviated LBS,[1] is a small business, as distinct from a chain, mail-order or online vendor, specializing in bicycle sale, maintenance and parts. In the UK and Ireland, the expression independent bicycle dealers (IBDs) is also used.[2]

A local bike shop
A bicycle mechanic at a local bike shop
View of recumbent bicycles inside a local bike shop
Bicycles and exercise equipment for sale inside a local bike shop

The local bike shop is a key component of the bicycle industry and, in recognition of the value that local bike shops provide, some manufacturers only sell their bicycles through dealerships.

Offerings

Beyond bicycles, a local bicycle shop may offer clothing and other accessories, spare and replacement parts, tools, and a variety of services.[3]

Services may include expert fitting and custom bike building or ordering,[4] maintenance and repairs from experienced bicycle mechanics, and organized group rides and classes.[5] A self-service work area may be available.[6]

Shops may also specialize on one or more aspects of cycling: bicycle racing,[7] triathlon, bicycle touring, BMX,[8] mountain biking, etc. Similarly, shops may carry a diverse range of bicycles, from single-seat upright bikes, to more specialized types such as tandem bicycles,[9] recumbent bicycles,[10] folding bicycles.[11] Many shops also carry related items such as unicycles[12] and skateboards.

Shops located out of temperate climates may have a secondary line in order to keep busy in the off season (winter). These include goods and services for skiing,[7] camping, and physical fitness. Some shops keep their regular customers coming in through the winter by offering group training sessions.[13]

Studios

A small but growing trend in bicycle retailing is called the bicycle studio, which offers service in an intimate environment by appointment only. A list by Bicycling Magazine shows five studios founded before 2000 and 13 since. These are seen as more complementary to, than competitive with, traditional bike shops.[14]

Competitors

In the US, the primary competitors to local bike shops are the mass merchants such as Wal-Mart or Target, representing 73% of the units and 36% of the dollars in 2007,[15] full-line sporting goods stores such as Dick's Sporting Goods, multi-sport stores such as R.E.I., representing 7% of the units and 9% of the dollars in 2007,[15] and mail order and online vendors representing 3% of the units and 6% of the dollars in 2007.[15] There are also chains of bike shops, though most LBS are independently owned, and 91% of them have one location.[15]

The distinction between local bike shops and online vendors has begun to blur as local bike shops have begun themselves to sell products online.

A recent development is the introduction of brand specific stores from bicycle manufacturers such as Trek Bicycle Corporation.[16] Other manufacturers, such as Specialized, are strengthening their channels with concept stores.[17]

Statistics

According to the National Bicycle Dealers Association, in 2007 there were approximately 4,400 "specialty bicycle retailers" in the USA; down from 4,800 in 2005. Although they sold only 17% of the bikes, up from 16% in 2005, they collected 49% of the dollars, up from 47% in 2005. In 2004, the average specialty bicycle retailer had gross sales of $550,000 per year, 91% of them had one location, and average store size was 4,822 square feet.[15][18]

See: Graphic comparison of US auto and bike sales, 1972-2008

See also

References
  1. "Sheldon Brown's Glossary: LBS". Retrieved 2001-01-21.
  2. "Welcome to the ACT website". Archived from the original on 2006-12-05. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
  3. "Mother Earth News: How to start your own small-town bicycle shop". Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  4. "Serotta Custom Frames". Archived from the original on 2006-06-13. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
  5. "NBDA: The Bike Shop Advantage". Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  6. Sherry, Jennifer. "Bicycling Magazine: Props For Your Shop". Archived from the original on February 13, 2009. Retrieved 2001-01-20.
  7. "ERA Ski & Bike: Era's focus is on custom pro level racing bikes". Retrieved 2009-01-18.
  8. "Bike Alley: BMX Headquarters". Retrieved 2009-01-18.
  9. "Tandem Cycle Works of Colorado". Archived from the original on 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2009-01-18.
  10. "Bicycle Man: We Have The Largest Selection of Recumbents in New York State". Retrieved 2009-01-18.
  11. "Foldabikes: Ninety nine percent of all Foldabikes' sales are Bromptons". Retrieved 2009-01-18.
  12. "RD Bike Shop: Unicycles, Tandems, Trikes and Folding Bikes". Retrieved 2009-01-18.
  13. "Crank Daddy's Training Center". Archived from the original on October 24, 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
  14. Daab, Zac (November 2008). "The Bicycle Studio: Why you might have to make an appointment to buy your next bike-and be glad you did". Bicycling. Rodale: 81–85.
  15. "National Bicycle Dealers Association Industry Overview 2007". Retrieved 2009-01-18.
  16. "Trek Bicycle Store". Retrieved 2007-01-13.
  17. "Erik's Bike Shop Opens a Specialized Concept Store". September 5, 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
  18. "A Surge in Bicyclists Appears to Be Waiting". The New York Times, Jan Ellen Spiegel, December 31, 2008. 2009-01-01. Retrieved 2010-05-11.
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