Cycle Republic Explained

Cycle Republic
Industry:Cycling
Hq Location Country:London
Num Locations:20 shops
Website:https://www.cyclerepublic.com

Cycle Republic was a British cycle retailer.[1] The first store was opened in London's Euston Tower on 12 December 2014.[2] The company's shop estate included 20 shops[3] and an ecommerce website operation with UK-wide delivery. Late in 2017, the company's flagship store in Canary Wharf was opened by Olympian Victoria Pendleton.[4]

The company has since ceased trading under the name Cycle Republic and merged with another Halfords owned subdivision called Tredz because of greater profit margins. Extended warranties given by Cycle Republic are being upheld by Halfords.

In addition to bicycles, Cycle Republic sold e-bikes, cycling clothing, bike components and bike accessories.

Ownership

Cycle Republic was part of Halfords Group PLC, the British retailer of car parts, car enhancement, touring equipment and bicycles.[5] [6] with Peter Kimberley holding the position as managing director.[7] In March 2020, an internal review into how to make the business more profitable determined Cycle Republic was low-returning and stock intensive, and led Halfords to announce the stores were at risk of closing unless the brand was sold.[8] Subsequently, the business found a buyer with Pure Scooters taking over 11 stores in April 2020.[9] Currently, the business is back in the hands of Halfords and has been merged with another company they own called Tredz.

Sponsorship

For 2018 Cycle Republic sponsored the Morvélo-Basso racing team.[10] The company also provides support at cyclo-sportives around the country including Etape Loch Ness, Palace2Palace and Velo Birmingham.[11]

Cycle Republic helped to deliver PruGOals, a programme supporting low-income young people transition from education to employment, commencing in taking part in Prudential Ride London-Surrey 56.[12] They company built, provided and delivered custom designed, blue Raleigh Strava bikes to participating schools.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Will UK’s Cycle Republic Succeed Where Evans Failed?. 2019-01-15. Bike Europe. en. 2019-06-01.
  2. News: Halfords to revive Cycle Republic chain. Butler. Sarah. 2014-11-06. The Guardian. 2017-09-13. en-GB. 0261-3077.
  3. News: Catching up with Peter Kimberley, MD of Cycle Republic. Bikebiz. 2017-09-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20170824230628/http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/catching-up-with-peter-kimberley-md-of-cycle-republic/020295. 2017-08-24. dead.
  4. Web site: Enfield . Laura . Victoria Pendleton reveals why she is a "fair weather cyclist" at Cycle Republic opening in Canary Wharf . In your area . 2018-01-05. 2018-01-05 .
  5. Web site: Halfords reports increase in cycling sales in FY19. BikeBiz. en-GB. 2019-06-01.
  6. Web site: Wynn . Nigel . Halfords to open Cycle Republic bike shops in London . Cycling Weekly . 2014-09-23. 2014-09-23 .
  7. Web site: Sutton . Mark . Cycle Republic names Kimberley as MD . Bike Biz . 2015-08-15.
  8. Web site: Cycle Republic to close all UK branches unless buyer can be found. Shaw. Neil. 2020-03-16. hulldailymail. 2020-04-20.
  9. The website's homepage now redirects to Tredz, another brand owned by Halfords.Web site: Jobs safe after bike stores earmarked for closure are saved. Jarram. Matt. 2020-04-20. nottinghampost. 2020-04-20.
  10. Web site: Howells . Kieran . Cycle Republic will sponsor top tier racing team Morvelo Basso for '18 . BikeBiz . 2018-01-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180126171231/https://www.bikebiz.com/news/cycle-republic-to-sponsor-morvelo-basso-for-18 . 2018-01-26 . dead .
  11. Web site: Cycle Republic back huge Velo Birmingham event . Greater Birmingham Chambers . 2017-03-15.
  12. Web site: PruGoals PruGOals. 2019-07-30. 2018-08-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20180809195930/http://www.prugoals.co.uk/prugoals/. dead.
  13. Web site: Cycle Republic partners with cycling initiative PruGOals. BikeBiz. en-GB. 2019-07-30.