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Retailer Profile: Spokes of Bagshot

We are starting a series of Retailer Profiles, shining a light on some of our best and most interesting independent retailers. If you would like us to consider your shop for inclusion, please...

13 Dec 2022, more…

Cycling UK names its 100 Women in Cycling 2022

Cycling UK has published its annual 100 Women in Cycling 2022 list celebrating inspirational women in cycling.

30 Nov 2022, more…

Cycling in London up 40% since the start of the pandemic, TfL reports

Cycling in London has increased by 40% since the start of the pandemic, including a near-doubling of journeys by bike at the weekend, according to the newly published annual Travel in London...

30 Nov 2022, more…

Dave Wilsher ex-ACT Director wins Family Business of the Year

Dave Wilsher ex-ACT Director wins Family Business of the Year at the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce awards.

18 Nov 2022, more…

Retail Sector Reacts with Cautious Welcome to Chancellor’s Autumn Statement

Retail and small business organisations have given a cautious welcome to business-focused aspects of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.

17 Nov 2022, more…

Confront the recession head on, says the ACT.

Cycle retailers around the UK facing up to the imminent challenges of recession will need to stay one step ahead of the curve to survive. Now is the time to benefit from being part of something...

17 Nov 2022, more…

Grants of £30K available to create up to eight secure cycle storage facilities across Belfast

Belfast City Council is seeking expressions of interest to provide publicly accessible secure cycle storage facilities across the city.

15 Nov 2022, more…

Global Bicycle Market Forecast to reach $130 billion by 2033

New research from Research Nester has forecast that between now and 2033, the global bicycle market could reach an estimated value of approximately $130 billion, by expanding at a compound...

15 Nov 2022, more…

Mary Portas warns government to act now or see half of high street shops shut

Ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement this week, retail expert Mary Portas called on the Government to rethink business rates and VAT to help struggling retailers.

14 Nov 2022, more…

94% independent retailers urge government to ‘preserve UK high streets’

A new report by Ankorstore and retail consultant Mary Portas has found that 94% of independent retailers want the government to act in next week’s budget to preserve the UK’s high...

10 Nov 2022, more…

Retailer Profile: Spokes of Bagshot

Posted on 13 Dec 2022

We are starting a series of Retailer Profiles, shining a light on some of our best and most interesting independent retailers. If you would like us to consider your shop for inclusion, please drop us a line telling us a little bit about yourselves. First up, Spokes of Bagshot.

Spokes team

MD James Thompson says:

“Spokes opened its doors in March 2015, after a few months of hard graft behind the scenes. I had worked for a well-known independent shop for 11 years and then had a “Dragons’ Den” style opportunity with a successful friend of mine, who became a great mentor and business partner and we formed Spokes!

My background is years of competitive downhill mountain bike racing as a younger and braver man, to eventually doing an Ironman triathlon when I was 30. I have a real passion for cycling and have got so much from it over the years, which is something I am keen to pass on to our customers, who have become our friends.

We have a great team at Spokes, we are a family! We are very community focused and love seeing people get hooked on cycling and progress, no matter what their ability, age or level, its just fantastic to see others get so much enjoyment and benefit from the activity that has given us so much.

We have grown into one of the UK’s top independent bike shops, and deal with some major brands, such as Giant & Liv, Wilier, Whyte, Mondraker and many more. We have gone on to win some industry and national business awards. “

How has your retail landscape changed over the last couple of years - what are you doing differently now?

The last two years have been a real rollercoaster ride. Covid was the biggest opportunity our industry has ever had and has made cycling a normal part of people’s lives. The demand on the industry created some huge challenges. At one point, we had people forming a socially distant queue down the street to come and buy bikes!

We took a lot of risk, expanded our brand portfolio and kept buying all the way through the pandemic. We took on a warehouse, we finally invested in our e-commerce site, and geared up.

The flip side of this has been cash flow challenges, bigger tax bills and a tightening market with the cost-of-living challenges now.

Have customer needs, wants and/or expectations changed - if so, how?

Customers have exercised a huge amount of patience during Covid, with some people waiting up to a year for some top end bikes! People’s shopping habits have changed, with an increased shift to online retail, so I’m very glad we have moved to this. It’s still early days for Spokes Online, and we have learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t, constantly trying to second guess the constantly shifting market.

With the more recent cost of living increases, trade has become more challenging, with people less willing to spend larger amounts on non-essential purchases. We have recognised a massive opportunity with both Finance and Cyclescheme, as a way for people to spread the cost (and save on the tax on the scheme), so this is something we are pushing hard.

What is most effective for you as a way of promoting the business?

In terms of marketing, the most effective way is word of mouth. Nothing beats a referral; the trust is already built, and it has been the best way to grow the business locally. As we target a slightly bigger regional audience, event sponsorship is a good way to go, especially when we can directly interact with potential new customers. We have sponsored a “Santa Dash”, where there were 1000 runners dressed as Santa and we were there to show them some bikes and promote Spokes!

If people want to find you online and on social media, how would they do so?

We have a good following on Facebook and Instagram. We are doing some new video marketing campaigns on YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok, so watch this space!

https://www.facebook.com/spokesbagshot
https://www.instagram.com/spokesofbagshot/