Rio effect being felt at Ribble Cycles

Team GB’s Rio success has apparently had a major impact at Ribble Cycles. Since the start of the Olympics, the retailer’s bike sales are up by 61 per cent compared to the same period last year. The news comes after Halfords recently said that the glut of medals had helped turn around its cycling sales.

Ribble has seen an overall rise in sales of 45 per cent compared to last year, with sportive bike sales up 85 per cent and racing bikes up 56 per cent.  

Chief marketing officer at Ribble Cycles, Matthew Lawson, said: “The Olympics is a really exciting time for sport and we couldn’t be prouder of what Team GB’s cyclists have achieved. It’s amazing to see more Brits following in their footsteps and taking cycling on as a potential new hobby."

Lawson also expressed support for the letter written by 10 of Team GB’s medal-winning cyclists asking the government for greater investment in everyday cycling.

“Following the Olympians’ recent request for an increase in investment for cycling, we agree and would also like the government to increase their spending in this area. Overall more consideration and funding is essential for cycling to be sustainable in the UK. Being proactive in this area of the industry is definitely a key concern of ours.”

Ribble Cycles has recently expanded into Australia and now has plans for a launch in Germany.

In July, Halfords said that compared to the same period in 2015, its cycling sales had fallen by 4 per cent in the 13 weeks to July 1 on a like-for-like basis. However, since then it has seen strong growth in this part of its business with a trading statement released earlier in the month revealing a rise of 12.5 per cent in the seven weeks to August 19 – the Friday after the track programme in Rio finished with Team GB top of the medal table.