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The biggest story of 2011? It could yet prove to be Decathlon. If it makes good on its promise, it will mean a huge change for UK bike retail.
Despite Best Buy's failure and Halfords' (and some independent bike dealers') struggles, 2011 also saw a key piece of news that might just mark a huge shift in UK bike retail. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it might have been the biggest story of the year. Potentially.
In October we heard that Decathlon - you know, the one with over 350 stores worldwide - was planning to significantly increase its retail presence in the UK, introducing a whopping 100 stores on these shores within the decade, the North West being a particular target.
Such a move would, make no mistake, completely change the face of the UK bike retail scene. Who would suffer from such a move by the experienced sports retailer? Arguably,
but most likely, it would be Halfords.
Will Decathlon make good on its words? It has recently snapped up an outlet from struggling retailer JJB in Scotland, but is it madness to plot expansion on the High Street at a time like this? The retailer has been noticeably reticent in the UK so far, with a mere nine or so stores.
Bicycle sales here are second only to Germany (in Europe) so why wouldn't Decathlon be preparing to jump into the UK with both feet?
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Jonathon Harker, Editor (BikeBiz Dec 2011)
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