Manchester bike brand Insync Bikes recently championed the vital work of bike shops to mark Independents’ Day UK on July 4. Insync, owned by India-based Hero Cycles, is celebrating the service provided by its network of local bike shops, which has proved invaluable during the pandemic.
Independents’ Day UK is a campaign that exists to support and promote independent retail businesses across the UK all year round, but with an annual focus on July 4. Independents account for about 65 per cent of the approximately 290,000 retail outlets in the UK and are at the heart of local communities throughout the country.
Insync, which has its Hero Global Design Centre in Manchester, sells its bicycles through a network of around 400 independent bike dealers nationwide, a number it is looking to expand upon. Bike shops have remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the few businesses able to continue trading in lockdown. Cycling has experienced a boom period over the last few months as thousands have taken up the sport as one of the government’s permitted daily activities. Others have taken to the saddle to commute to avoid the use of public transport.
Wayne Clarke, head of IBD sales at Insync, said it was important to champion local shops, both on Independents’ Day and all year round. He said: “Independent retailers are the lifeblood of the high street, offering diversity of choice and a personal service. At Insync, we are proud of our independent bike shops, which offer a wealth of knowledge to shoppers. They usually have the answers to all manner of questions related to cycling, as well as aftercare support to give you peace of mind. Local bike shops have contributed to the growth in cycling during lockdown, enabling many more people to take up riding, and we look forward to seeing this trend continue.”
