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Bike retailer Evans Cycles in talks with lenders as chain struggles http://news.sky.com/story/bike-retailer-evans-cycles-in-talks-with-lenders-as-chain-struggles-11492689
Parent company of Mavic and Enve are reportedly putting them both up for sale too.
I think Rapha are in the poo too. They have had loads more sales this year and their stuff has been on SportPursuit. I returned something almost 2 weeks ago which I had ordered in the sale to exchange for a smaller size and have still yet to receive a replacement or refund as they are struggling to cope and currently working outside their 5 day timescale. I think the market has dropped out of the high end expensive clothing as there are no new customers and existing customers don't need continual new stuff. They are probably also annoying their existing customers by continually selling their stuff off cheap in sales.
Over expansion and PE ownership?
Whodathunkit, eh?
Evans? Massive stock, massive overheads? Lots of prime locations?
Be one of the first to feel the pinch in a market contraction though.
Just ordered a Bell Super DH on back order from Evans as well. Bother. Still, paid on CC and at least I don't work there.
So who is making money in the cycling industry these days? Doesn't seem to be many
So who is making money in the cycling industry these days? Doesn’t seem to be many
Wiggle? Though it reminds me of the old civils bidding where everyone is willing to screw everyone for the loss leading job that will make them rich forever.
Arse. Ordered a Hope District from them. It's due in next week, hopefully it'll turn up.
Crap for the staff. Cycling hasn't converted into the new golf has it?
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Redundancies according to Telegraph Business
It’s a shame for staff, but I’ve always wondered if they were too physical to compete with CRC on price and too corporate to compete with proper LBS for service and that warm fuzzy feeling.
It’s a pretty old-school business model I guess, the Currys of the bike world.
Pinnacle in house bikes are brilliant, so hope they survive. Always had good dealings with Evans albeit all online based, not been to a shop of theirs (none local).
No kidding. I couldn’t believe when they opened up in Cardiff. Their location is really awkward yet expensive, and they did so in a city with a number of well-used, well-established LBSes.
i always wondered how they managed, and suspected that they would find themselves in trouble for having overexpanded.
Well the Bristol branch was open and trading this afternoon when I dropped in to pick up an order. They do seem to have a lot of offers coming through in email at the moment.
it'd be crap fro everyone affected if things do go awry but I doubt anyone’s current orders are at risk.
You'd have thought that the industry would have done quite well out of the weather this Summer, but I guess it might have only just served to prelong the inevitable of a general trend on the high street and cycling retail.
You’d have thought that the industry would have done quite well out of the weather this Summer
Evans have been doing trade in, discounts, price match I think(?), and hold shit loads of stock, the number of bikes in there is ridiculous some days, come march this year most were on a serious reduction.
Next up there has been a downturn in discretionary spending these days
The retail sector as a whole is rather suppressed right now going by what my customers at work are saying. People aren't really spending money on non-essentials right now. Evans have got the double whammy of price matching the likes of CRC but also having to pay for shops in pretty expensive places. Their click and collect service is great though.
Agreed on the Cardiff branch being in a really odd place, most people don't know it's even there! For those not local it's underneath a NCP car park and the only visible sign it's there is an Evans sign beside a few bus stops. Very little passing trade too as it's the 'dead' end of Queen St away from most other big shops too. Add in a large amount of established good LBSs and you have a poor situation for them.
Cycling hasn’t converted into the new golf has it?
They don't change the size of golf balls every two years. 1991 was the last new standard iirc. Still got a few of the smaller ones in the garage. Longer off the tee. Useful when money is involved. 🙂
Evans on Deansgate is staffed by knowledgable cyclists and is a pleasure to use. Many other branches, not so much.
Better spend the voucher i've got.
And yet there's a new bike shop opening up next to Evans in Gateshead... ironically in what used to be Maplins.
I was in that branch last week to get some shorts and was surprised how much bike stock they had on the floor. Clearly a big push on e-bikes as well.
They don’t change the size of golf balls every two years. 1991 was the last new standard iirc.
No but you do need new clubs ever year, the golf put down for new riders is a bit dull though. Growth in sales has shows things work but at the moment bigger factors are at play for people's money in the UK.
According to bike biz Rapha made a lot of staff redundant lately, Evans seems to have lost a lot of staff as well, and not much choice in bike brands either, compared to how they used to be.
Perhaps a merger with Halfords bike branded shops and a cull of surplus shops is on the cards as a way out ,
I quite like evans, click & collect is great & prices are competitive, staff are usually quite helpful
however there are probably 5 stores within a 5km radius of my work, which seems bonkers, really
Agreed on the Cardiff branch being in a really odd place, most people don’t know it’s even there! For those not local it’s underneath a NCP car park and the only visible sign it’s there is an Evans sign beside a few bus stops. Very little passing trade too as it’s the ‘dead’ end of Queen St away from most other big shops too. Add in a large amount of established good LBSs and you have a poor situation for them.
snap Leeds - no idea how to quote on this shit forum anymore
Rapha might do a bit better if they had stuff in stock at their flagship London store rather than coming out with we're waiting for new lines and flogging off lightweight summer tops at the end of August
No but you do need new clubs ever year
Not true. I've some blades from the 90's that are just as as newer irons.
Putters change every year, makes no difference.
Bigger woods are easier to use, but that's about it.
the golf put down for new riders is a bit dull though.
Accurate though. 🙂
Growth in sales has shows things work....
Which things and how do they work?
I like Evans, always good for a price match, and the fact I can use Tesco vouchers always makes it feel like a bargain.
I seem to be in the Evans dead spot between York and Durham though. The staff in the Durham store have always been great when I've been in.
I got quite tempted to buy a Pinnacle Arkose so many times, but being between sizes, I wanted to test ride first... Yet the nearest store to Southampton until Easter(?) this year was Basingstoke, now it's Havant, but still a bit of a bind to get to without a car.
I like Evans, always good for a price match, and the fact I can use Tesco vouchers always makes it feel like a bargain.
both of which are probably not good for long term business
Not true. I’ve some blades from the 90’s that are just as as newer irons.
Yeah but marketing says....
See the difference there? The bike you ride gets no worse each year, never any need to replace.
Which things?
The UK is in an interesting financial position at the moment in the middle of huge uncertainty that at it's very definition would impact discretionary spending.
Apparently post takeover, Rapha are on a mission to ''educate the customer to pay full price' 🙂
I wish them luck.
Apparently post takeover, Rapha are on a mission to ”educate the customer to pay full price’
3 for the price of 2 in the outlet store was full enough price for me 😉 Great stuff though, my first choice in road gear from the wardrobe at the moment.
Yet the nearest store to Southampton until Easter(?) this year was Basingstoke
To open in the Stoke instead of Southampton or that other place with the Skates is a very odd decision.
I didn't even know there was one in the Stoke!
See the difference there? The bike you ride gets no worse each year, never any need to replace.
New bikes are better, according to most people. Not so much with clubs. And new grips fit old clubs. No need to upgrade, unless fashion.
The UK is in an interesting financial position at the moment in the middle of huge uncertainty that at it’s very definition would impact discretionary spending.
Yes, I know. But you said..
Growth in sales has shows things work….
Which things have worked to increase bike sales?
British success and increased positive media coverage seem to be the drivers (sorry).
Which other things do you think have 'worked' in that context?
Which things have worked to increase bike sales?
The world bike market has grown over the last few years, it's been growing but there have been some contractions, UK economic situation is a massive thing though Growth I refer to has been pre brexit
Sorry Mike, I don't understand.
Growth in sales has shows things work but at the moment bigger factors are at play for people’s money in the UK.
Which things do you think have worked to increase the growth in cycling?
The one in Reading is in the town center, right by the big shopping center multi storey. But the wrong side of a big ring road roundabout. Even cycling into town its on the wrong side of the road.
Considering its my 2nd closest bike shop (Rotec Cycles are closer) I've been in twice in the 5 years its been there.
It's become more popular, I don't have the sales figures to hand but it's been a little boom, slide and calm sort of profile The demographic of who is buying is more interesting and high end from what I've seen is holding, maybe the middle is slowing a bit.
Based on talking to people selling bikes and bits.
Only had two dealings with Evans (many years ago) and they were awful both times.
The demographic of who is buying is more interesting and high end from what I’ve seen is holding, maybe the middle is slowing a bit.
Hence the golf comparison being accurate. 🙂
In my experience, cycling has been adopted wholesale by the middle classes.
I meet more working/upper class folks on bikes, but the vast majority of newbies over the last decade or so have come from the cash rich, time poor middle classes. Ex golfers, if you will.
Would be great to see some actual figures, but that seems to be the case in my experience.
snap Leeds
Really, the Leeds one gets thousands of people a day passing to and from the train station and is right in the centre, perfect for a quick browse of a lunch time and accidental spending!! Couldn't get a much better location.
Fair enough you probably can't test a bike in among the taxis, but I bet they sell shed loads of random bits and for click and collect stuff it's perfect.
Hence the golf comparison being accurate.
In my experience, cycling has been adopted wholesale by the middle classes.
And the real question is what does class have to do with cycling?
One of the best things about climbing is where 2 people can sit on a ledge and talk without mentioning jobs, money or class. Maybe that is the world I came from but some bike riders need to take a look at themselves.
Eh?
You brought up demographics.
It was a genuine observation without malice!
I don't care who I go riding with. Two research chemists, a nurse, a care worker and a lab assistant on our last ride.
Similarly our Mountaineering club has everyone from bus drivers and postmen to life and hereditary peers. Everyone gets on.
I'm interested in what has driven the growth in cycling and why.
Yes, the demographic has changed. Why?
Ahh that’s shite for Evans.
reckon I’ve spent a grand at least with them since they stopped advertising in the mail during the stop funding hate campaign.
Dunno how wiggle/chain reaction keep going with their stock overheads? Anyone ever checked out the wiggle eBay store? The amount of returned/shop soiled stock they churn out is unbelievable
Oh man! I do hope not. The plymouth store is in a slightly odd location but does have parking. The are staff are enthusiastic knowledgeable pleasant people and have become my go to LBS as a result. Brought 2 bikes, loads of parts and servicing from them. Always been super helpful. I wish them all the best and hope the staff are ok
I hope not too, my local Evans is a 10 minute walk away and some of their online deals which you can order to store are the cheapest place to get stuff. OK, they never have a good stock of bikes, but for general stuff mine are pretty good. The other local shop in my town is abysmal by comparison.
Feel sorry for them, every time I walk in half the staff are really friendly / helpful, while the other half are pretty useless. It's a nice brand and believe there is still potential in the business as long as it remains impossible to get a service or test ride without visiting a shop.
As an outsider it looks like bad leadership, both internally and from their PE owners from the perspective that they don't appear to be passionate bikers and don't understand the needs of their customers / changing market.
If I was in charge I would:
Fire the bad 50% of staff. The ones that don't even know their DMR Vault or Magic Mary (or road equiv) and look on blank faced / confused rather than just looking it up on Google or their computer. To counter the bad I've also had great experiences where staff would recommend decent trails and dial in my suspension really well.
Double down and train the workshop staff properly - if you run a workshop you really should be able to bleed some hydraulic brakes properly and service forks. Even with their limitations the workshops always seem overbooked.
Partner with Canyon and YT for initial setup and 1st services, maybe even rent them some floorspace for display / demo models and handle warranty shipping (if it doesn't erode margin). No need to actually sell them but it's not like they are going anywhere. I don't see them eating into their road, own brand low-mid spec mtb/hybrid, or high end sales from the likes of Santa Cruz. I wonder how many £3-5k Trek / Spec End/DH bikes they actually sell?
Relocate all the stores two streets back, or maybe a little more to save on rent (even my nan can use google maps to search for a bike shop these days).
Stock decent items in-store. Every store sells bad pedals, multitools, co2 pumps rather than the highest rated. Not sure if the loss in sales volume wipes out the margin.
Become a TK Maxx for sales of last season / off colour clothing from higher end brands like Rapha. Let Rapha focus on making coffee in their own shops 🙂
Anyone else got any ideas to help save them? If only Wiggle survive in a few years I imagine their prices will rise pretty fast.
What's the Wiggle eBay store name?
I've been driving past a branch in North London whilst working there and one day when I had a few minutes to spare popped in. I didn't stay long. The whole vibe of the shop was wrong. There was no bling on display, no really nice bikes - and notably, hardly any decent ebikes. It just seemed like a business model half a decade behind the times. I never thought I'd say this, but JE James, blows them away
This is disappointing indeed. Being able to go to their central London stores and pay CRC prices seemed too good to last. Agreed with comments about their staff too- for a corporate outfit they are excellent.
@jonnyboi - yes seen the Wiggle (/trisport resort) eBay store but just assumed they do a massive volume online so even if 1% get returned that's still a big quantity to shift.
Had cashed Tesco vouchers in for a camelback that went out of stock while waiting on the voucher being processed. Stocked up on spare chains just in case.
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The one in Reading is in the town center, right by the big shopping center multi storey. But the wrong side of a big ring road roundabout. Even cycling into town its on the wrong side of the road.
Considering its my 2nd closest bike shop (Rotec Cycles are closer) I’ve been in twice in the 5 years its been there
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My office is behind Rotec, still seems odd not seeing Simon about.
Only been in that Evans a couple of times and they were pretty disinterested when a mate was buying a bike.
I’d have gone elsewhere but his companies Cycle to work scheme is tied to Evans apparently. I have no idea if that’s true as we don’t have such a thing.
sillysilly + echo'd by TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsSTR: yes some of their stores stock cheap tat but you can order stuff via the website for next day inspection/collection. Also they do fine for the basic needs of the city commuter (in London I guess this is by far the biggest market). Works for me.
Also I find even the "bad" staff at least want to help and aren't arrogant on top of their ignorance. That makes a big difference.
Yeah I'm probably the biggest Evans fan.
The one in Edinburgh seems to have worked pretty hard to have nothing I want. You can order pretty much anything online and have it delivered to the store, but then, why? Maybe I'm just not the target market but this is Edinburgh, if you can't sell a load of mountain bikes here where can you?
That's a shame if true. The one in Sheffield has friendly staff and a good range of bikes. Really handy to pop in there on the way home to pick things up, especially with click and collect.
Anyone else got any ideas to help save them? If only Wiggle survive in a few years I imagine their prices will rise pretty fast.
Yep, use your LBS and not wiggle. It's not rocket science. If you don't support high street shops (and I don't mean to try things for size before buying online) you'll close and lose them.
Partner with Canyon and YT for initial setup and 1st services, maybe even rent them some floorspace for display / demo models and handle warranty shipping (if it doesn’t erode margin). No need to actually sell them
Zero margin will always be zero margin. Seems like a lot of work & staff wages to increase Canyon's and YT's profit and market share.
You're not on Evan's board or ideas person are you? 😉😂
Tbf though, if Evans do cease to trade, it couldn’t happen to a worse bike retailer.
I feel the pain of their store staff who I nearly joined.
They are well just a bit w&nk tbh and yes I was bitter at the time.
Anyone else got any ideas to help save them? If only Wiggle survive in a few years I imagine their prices will rise pretty fast.
It's the need/race to sell cheap that's killing retail. It's been going on slowly for years but post 2008 there was a huge rush to sell sell sell at any price because you had to have the turnover.
A lot of businesses said "it'll be fine, we'll be able to increase prices when things settle down" but it went on so long it's become the norm and there's no going back from it. As a result everyone knows everything will be 25%+ cheaper in a few weeks time so the only people who pay full price are those who must have it. Just take a look at the front page for "where's the cheapest/when does x go on sale" threads and the like.
I'm afraid you can't have that cake and eat it, either stuff will carry enough margin to support multiple businesses or it'll be cheap as possible sold in huge volumes by only one or two outlets. On the other hand though prices won't go up noticeably because as soon as they do another company will open, undercut them by 2p an item and they'll go out off business because near as it matters no one is brand loyal these days.
I'm afraid traditional retail is doomed for a great many things unless it really starts to offer something you can't get online.
The UK is in an interesting financial position at the moment in the middle of huge uncertainty that at it’s very definition would impact discretionary spending.
The commercial world is starting to face up to it, but to the man in the street, it's still confusing, irritating and boringly dragging on. Consumers will wake up to it when prices really rise and goods are delayed. All that's to come.
How much have they been burdened by the debt from the takeover and expansion - probably borrowed at low interest rates and now having to furnish that debt at higher rates against a static / shrinking retail market plus considerable cost growth as they have to buy in US$.
Less sure about the "new golf" as golf-clubs are literally dying out because its becoming a social club for geriatrics and finding it hard to attract new members.
Less sure about the “new golf” as golf-clubs are literally dying out because its becoming a social club for geriatrics and finding it hard to attract new members.
I wish, then Aston could extend its runs into the golf course !
just waiting for a new bike to land from evans. it was pretty heavily discounted.
fingers crossed it will land before they submerge, if they actually do.
I've weaned myself off using Wiggle/CRC over the last few years now, easy to see how the rush to bottom price was destroying the market in general. Most purchases come through the LBS and surprisingly I'm spending less as I think about what I want to buy and then get it. If I can't get something specific though the LBS then Evans or Halfords are my next port of call, sometimes I'll use Amazon but i I do it'll be from that manufacturer's sales channel.
IF Evans do go through a restructure/shrinking period does this mean Halfords are in trouble on the bike side too? I know they have the automotive side which drove their decision a while ago to close the high street stores and focus on the retail parks with fitting bays for lightbulbs etc but the bike side is a similar setup. Own-brand bikes, basic workshop etc. Is it time for the LBS to have a resurgence?
Evans is by far my closest bike shop, I quite regularly use them for click and collect with price match. In fact I last picked something up from them on Thursday. Click and collect, if you live close to a store, is great as it’s effectively free next day delivery.
I used to work for Evans, word from my ex colleagues is that they're not in danger of going under any time soon, the article makes it sound far worse than it is. it's been a reasonable summer for the trade due to the weather.
Evans always seem to do a spectacular job of not stocking anything I want! No proper tyres, bars tools or anything. It’s actually impressive how they have literally nothing of any use in stock! I even popped in the other day to buy a bottle cage, usually a big selection...not this time no side load cages in sight.
Im not surprised. They always seem to have lots of stuff in the shop but never the item I want,
Prices are reasonable and they price match, but despite big stores they rarely have what you want in stock. Most has to be ordered online from the warehouse and turns up some time days or weeks later, maybe. Meanwhile you could order from another online retailer and get it next day.
In the last few years I've gone in an Evans I've generally walked out again not having found what I want. Nothing exotic, just stuff like brake fluid, bottom bracket, chain link, standard tools. They just stock stuff for shopper and commuter bikes.
I've also even ordered online, gone to collect and told it hasn't arrived. Online indication of stock levels in store isn't accurate either. Trying to get a helmet I liked in the right size and could try on, and it was in stock in two of my local stores... no it wasn't. They could order it though, in week or two. In one case they said I'd have to pay for it up front just to try it on!
In the main their business is selling bikes, though I rarely see people walk out with a new bike. Okay that's anecdotal.
Will say though, back in the day, bought a torque wrench, not only did they sell them back then, but the guy there went out of his way to explain its operation and how to take care of it.
word from my ex colleagues is that they’re not in danger of going under any time soon
A lot of bosses will say this to staff and maybe believe it themselves. Seen it in many companies. Lots of assurances everything is great, look at these figures. Then the place goes tits up.
Most worrying is what will happen to Pinnacle.
A lot of bosses will say this to staff and maybe believe it themselves. Seen it in many companies. Lots of assurances everything is great, look at these figures. Then the place goes tits up.
Yep, I was told along with everyone else in RBS in early 2008 that it was only a temporary blip and we should all buy shares at a special discounted rate for staff, some real true believers did. The discounted rate was about 95% or market value, 6 months later they’d lost 90% or their value and have never recovered.
I cant imagine they had a really great summer and then needed £10m to keep afloat in Sept, if that was true they’d have gone under back in Feb when the Xmas sales cash ran dry.
Been in many times over the years but can't recall ever buying anything from them apart from a saddle and that was mail order. They just never seemed to have anything on display that took my fancy. My local shop is JE James in Chesterfield - I've spent loads with them. They appear to be doing well and have recently massively expanded their E bike section which is where they see the next cycling boom coming from it seems.
How many people buy a new bike every year? How long does it take for market saturation?
From what I can see people just wait for the sales. I mean last seasons cycling shorts are as good as this seasons. There is always somewhere doing a discount and they will drop the item at your door.
Cycling does take some commitment. You need some space for the bike plus if you get tired/bored when cycling you can’t just jump in a taxi. Also around me they banned bikes from trains which did not help...
<div class="bbp-reply-author">mikewsmith
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<div class="bbp-reply-content">The UK is in an interesting financial position at the moment in the middle of huge uncertainty that at it’s very definition would impact discretionary spending.
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Are you able to look at anything and not see your very own Brexit doomsday?
As for Evans; Terrible for the employees - and I have been into the Cardiff branch a couple times, and always found the staff helpful enough. Hopefully a solution can be found if they are in trouble.
You have to question the reasoning for so many cities to have multiple Evans stores pretty close together. Surely they would be better having one store thats well stocked than multiple stores that are close together and poorly stocked?.
Leeds had one (now closed) right outside the station then their main store about 150m away.
You have to question the reasoning for so many cities to have multiple Evans stores pretty close together
Saturation of stores increases overall sales in an area. People will go to the closest to have a look at stock. If you can engage them they will most likely be too lazy to go to a different store but maybe not to shop online.
I've not shopped at Evans for a few since the staff at the notts store blatantly lied about a click and collect being ready.
Shame another big retailer going, though I've been trying to use local shop for some small stuff.
Saturation of stores increases overall sales in an area. People will go to the closest to have a look at stock. If you can engage them they will most likely be too lazy to go to a different store but maybe not to shop online.
But how much is that floorspace costing them in say London?
Are you able to look at anything and not see your very own Brexit doomsday?
Brexit is a factor in the closure of many stores, falling £, inflation & consumer confidence adding pressure, to an already vulnerable sector
If you voted for it you really ought to have the courage to accept the consequences of your actions
I've bought less and less off them in the last year. Prices too high compared to others being the main reason. The only time I tried their price match, they said they couldn't match it!
Never seemed to have the tyres, brake pads or parts I wanted in their shops. Always the crap combinations of compound, casing, sizes and pad material you don't want. Much better than Halfords or Decathlon TBF, anyone for a Conti Diesel, 2.2 High Roller super tacky or their own brand plastic tyres!
The collect option came in handy a few times.
Interesting to see a mixture of 'will be a shame to see them gone' and 'they're shit I know how to run a shop better' type responses. From my decade working for them I would say that on the whole they treat their staff fairly, there's great room for progression if you're good at your job, and overall i enjoyed my time there.
They stock a bigger range of bikes, accesories and clothing than pretty much any other shop, but suffer from a 'love to hate' attitude by enthusiasts of the sport when they don't have a relatively obscure part in stock. Though something like brake fluid may seem like an essential item, and they should stock it, but even their biggest stores would probably sell 1 bottle a month, compared to 20 pairs of gloves occupying the same shelf space.
When I started in the mid 2000's they stocked a decent range of components, forks, interesting frames etc in some stores. With the rise of internet shopping, CRC and others continued with their quest to sell grey import components for less than the trade price through the official channels, it became uneconomical to compete on parts, and hence not worth stocking in stores apart from basic repair items for the average commuter. So Evans never really went for the heavily discounted component market in the way that PX, Ribble , Merlin , CRC and Wiggle did. Allthough this may have lost some of the more 'expert' customers, I feel they did not contribute to the death of the LBS in the way the others above have done, but their physical high street presence made them the scapegoat for shops closing etc.
The article in the OP is highly speculative, and I very much doubt things are that serious at the moment. The industry has suffered a slowdown since the boom of 2012, but cycling is still growing in popularity and people like to test ride / collect a bike from a physical store. It's not the same as Maplins, House of Fraser etc who are no longer relevant on the UK high street .
Good luck to my ex colleagues but I'm sure they will be ok.
No kidding. I couldn’t believe when they opened up in Cardiff. Their location is really awkward yet expensive, and they did so in a city with a number of well-used, well-established LBS
Also, like a lot of Evans stores, the merchandising is really poor. A basic bike shop system is to put bikes in order of price. Not Evans. Another basic of retail is to make sure everything is priced. Not Evans. They even put bikes up on a stand with a spec sheet and whatever, but then don’t put a price on it. The Cardiff store is gloomy, with spotlights that shine in your eyes, and it’s not laid out sensibly - not an easy store to find things in. That’s if you can be bothered to walk to the wrong side of the city centre and negotiate a busy main road to get there.