Veloplus enters the bike sales market
Switzerland's largest bike parts retailer has gradually adapted its offering: The first step was the option of having purchased accessories fitted immediately by assembly professionals in the store's own workshop. This was followed by the "Veloclinic" integrated into the sales outlets, with which Veloplus launched a comprehensive range of services including maintenance work on Fox suspension elements. Now the company is ready to take the next step.
Veloplus is becoming a bicycle retailer. Why is the company taking this step and when did the management make this decision? We want to offer our customers the perfect bike for their needs. We have been measuring cyclists with buttocks, back and knee problems and other health complaints for years. Thanks to these countless analyses in the field of ergonomics, we have been able to gain important experience and alleviate problem areas when cycling with handlebars, grips and saddles developed in-house. Selling bikes is the next logical step. Also because our annual customer surveys always asked for bicycles. The final decision to sell bikes was made at the end of 2012.When will the go-ahead be given for bike sales?In the second half of January 2014.
Which bike brands will be rolling into the stores?
We will be offering bikes from tout terrain, Cresta by Veloplus, Ibex and Trek.
Why tout terrain?
Tout terrain fits perfectly with our claim "Equipment for adventure". The young brand from Freiburg (Germany) is highly innovative and, in our opinion, makes the best touring bikes currently available on the market. Furthermore, the entire development, testing, powder coating and assembly takes place in Germany.
Why Cresta by Veloplus?
At Cresta, our in-house developments such as handlebars, saddles and grips are specified as standard components. It is a traditional Swiss brand that develops, powder-coats and assembles its models in Switzerland. Cresta by Veloplus will cover the everyday and leisure sector, including e-bikes.
Why Ibex?
Ibex is a young, cheeky brand and also from Switzerland. With Ibex, we cover the everyday and leisure sector, with a configurator that enables countless color combinations. As with Cresta by Veloplus, we will also be offering e-bikes here.
Why Trek?
Veloplus has many sporty customers and Trek is the ideal partner for them. The brand offers highly innovative two-wheelers in both the MTB and racing bike segments. And with the new "Project-One" configurator, there are almost no limits to your own wishes.
Cresta by Veloplus as well as Ibex and tout terrain will have our own developments installed. Of course, we will also make the appropriate adaptations for Trek, if requested by the customer.
How are the arrangements with these manufacturers structured - have agreements only been made for one season or are long-term supplier relationships planned?
Veloplus always thinks long-term in its supplier relationships. This also applies to the bikes...
What about Veloplus' own bicycle brand?
We have great respect for the production of an own brand and would therefore like to promote cooperation with our partners. We are and will remain accessory specialists.
Bicycles require a lot of floor space in the showroom - how can the space problem be solved with the bikes in the stores?
We have different sized sales areas and therefore different amounts of space for bikes in the stores. We can display the entire range in around half of the stores, while the smaller spaces are reduced accordingly. Thanks to our modern and fast logistics with daily deliveries, we are always flexible.
About the web: What does Veloplus think about selling bikes online? There is a trend towards selling bikes online. At the same time, bicycles are service-intensive and require regular maintenance and therefore customer contact. We will offer bikes on the web via "click and pick". This means that customers can order their bikes online and then pick them up in store. In this way, we guarantee the customer a suitable and correctly assembled bike.
And the sales staff in the stores: are all employees here prepared for bike sales or are there specialists for accessories and bikes?There are no plans to separate accessories and bike sales. Our employees are all passionate cyclists and specialists in the sale of bicycle accessories. Apart from the frame, a bicycle consists of accessories, which we have been selling for over 20 years. We will set up a measurement system in all stores to help you choose the right frame size and the best ergonomic setting.
Accessories, repairs, bike sales - that's the classic bike shop recipe. What distinguishes Veloplus from a specialist retailer now?
Even with bikes, we remain accessory specialists. Our customers will continue to find a large and exciting range of bicycle accessories in our stores and online store. From spring 2014, we will be offering even more service with advice, ergonomically correct adjustment, sales and maintenance of bicycles.
Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.