Since 2017, Migros Fachmarkt AG has been presenting itself with the Bike World format: large-scale bike stores with hundreds of bikes, a workshop and an indoor test track. The store network currently extends across 16 locations with areas of 600 to 1000 square meters.

Thanks to its strong position on the market, Bike World achieves a high purchasing volume and therefore good conditions with suppliers. Specialist retailers could also benefit from this, as Bike World offers them a kind of deal: The local bike store acts as a so-called local hero for Bike World and offers a hand with service, repairs and warranties for bikes from Bike World. As a bonus, the Migros subsidiary gives the participating specialist retailer access to Bike World brands and parts. On the Bike World side, the aim is to achieve further growth and make the establishment of a network of small branches obsolete.

Bike World announced that the previous strategy with large-format stores was too large to get closer to customers in smaller regional catchment areas. This means that anyone living in a conurbation or rural area who has bought a bike from Bike World in the metropolitan area should not have to travel long distances to have their bike serviced there.

Sven Voser, strategic project manager at Bike World, announces that the response from specialist retailers has already been positive, but that no concrete partnerships have yet been concluded. "We are satisfied with the response and are currently in talks with various retailers. In order to validate the model in the best possible way, the fitting must fit, we are still open to discussions with interested parties," Voser continues.

bikeworld.ch