LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. (BRAIN) — Bicycle Retailer & Industry News' latest print issue, the Aug. 1 edition, takes the temperature of the industry after the first six months of the year. The verdict: It’s sluggish, say distributors.
Executives told BRAIN that the economy, the weather and changing consumer buying habits all added up to a lackluster first half. “When we get to the end of the year — unless summer lasts late into the season —we won’t make up the difference from what was a slow start, particularly in the East,” said Wayne D. Gray, vice president of KHS.
Also in the new issue, web editor Steve Frothingham interviews product managers at various brands about high-visibility colors seen throughout clothing, helmet and shoe ranges — and it’s not all about safety. High-viz has become fashionable on everything from socks and gloves to tops and bottoms, and not just on urban ranges, but at the high-end as well.
The Aug. 1 issue also includes an article on brand ambassadors and how suppliers are growing grass-roots marketing programs, seeking highly social, well-connected community leaders who aren’t racing for a living to trumpet their brands.
Other stories and coverage include:
-Specialized's entry into electric mountain bikes with the Levo line
-New product unveiled at the annual PressCamp in Deer Valley
-A tribute to BMX pioneer Scot Breithaupt
-Pon’s growing portfolio of bike brands, which now include Santa Cruz
This is in addition to regular departments like LifeCycle, State of Retail, Global Briefs, Mad Dog Unleashed, Trade Watch, Tech Briefs and Through the Grapevine that are only published in the magazine.
Bicycle Retailer & Industry News is published 18 times a year and is available in print or digital format. Visit our subscription page for more information.