should bike shops continue selling bikes?

[sickpup]

My view is there isn't any money in selling new bikes. At one point Evans were selling Cannondales for less than other dealers were buying them.
There is likely more profit in used bikes and used vintage parts with less cost, look at the business model of 'Brick Lane Bikes'. It also gives you something to sort over winter when cyclist hibernate in preparation for sale come the spring.

 

[jonnyboy666]

hmm, i still torn on all this. my solution at the moment is to just try and sell what i have, new sales to order or from the click and collect websites, predominantly concentrate on repair as i have always done, the shop isn't struggling, i'm always busy, although it's been quiet this last month but that is normal for december, january is usually busy, february usually crap. we'll see what happens this year

 

[ChromeChainstay]

...yes

 

[Roasted]

I think buying habits have changed over the years with more people going to online options.

The last complete bike I bought was back in 1998, every bike I bought since have been in component form which I've assembled myself.

But if I was buying a complete bike again I'd probably buy at the end of the season to get a discount and would get it online.

The idea behind selling bikes in shops is that it should secure you with repeat business for spares and repairs. But is that worth it now if you're taking a loss on the initial bike sale?

I guess the best thing to do is wind the stock down to see if it makes much difference to business performance.