- UK motoring and cycling retailer, Halfords, has announced plans to drastically increase the size of its ebike retail operations, as it eyes up a growing demand for ebikes in the country.
- Under the plans, the retailer will increase the number of what it calls ‘premium’ electric bikes, those which retail at over £1,500 ($1,987), by over 300%.
- The expansion will include new models under Halfords’ own Boardman, Voodoo, and Carrera bike brands.
Halfords to expand its premium ebike operations
The ebike market is becoming increasingly lucrative, with global market value set to grow by over $20 billion, by 2030, which highlights Halford’s keenness to further invest in this space, particularly on the higher priced ebikes, which can retrun an even higher profit. However, ebike adoption in the UK still has a long way to go, particularly when compared to neighbouring countries. Just 9% of bicycle sales in the UK are ebikes, compared to 27% across the EU, as Halfords’ Sustainability Manager, Dan Boyle, noted at last week’s EBIKE SUMMIT.
To aid its further entry into the premium ebike sector, Halfords will continue to offer its interest-free payment options, along with free in-store building of its bikes. For its £1,500-plus ebikes, the retailer offers a specific premium ebike CycleCare subscription – which includes a number of benefits such as unlimited free puncture repairs, unlimited free gear adjustment, and a 45% discount on ebike insurance, further cementing these more premium ebikes as an alternative to a car, as a daily commuting machine.
Halfords’ Head of Cycling, Katie Begley, commented on the plans:
“The new range of bikes from Halfords is a clear statement of intent to the premium cycling market. It’s one of the fastest growing sectors but one which was underrepresented at Halfords. But now that is changing and significantly so.”
