In my last post we reviewed how the mobile bike shop trend, while interesting, has only one real advantage over the traditional brick-and-mortar retailer. Here is how the score played out:
- Price Reduction: Tie
- Customer Experience: Brick-and-mortar wins
- Added Value: Tie
- Convenience: Mobile wins
So the real opportunity for brick-and-mortar retailers is to level the playing field for convenience. Omni-channel retailing (like QBP’s announcement today) is one way that brick-and-mortar retailers have leveled the playing field against online retailers. I can buy from my local bike shop in my pajamas just as easily as I can buy from Chain Reaction.
So the opportunity to improve convenience within the bicycle service arena is easy: Buy a van and offer pick-up and delivery of bikes.
Here is some basic math you can use to adapt to your own situation to give Continue reading “Responding to the mobile bike shop trend”