1. joe
   Admin
   Posted 8 months ago #
   

   Apparently a large sports retailer getting into the bike business is somehow a no-no?

   • 
     

     Mountain Equipment Co-op, which has built its retailing reputation on a feel-good image of environmental and social responsibility, has ignited anger in an unlikely place – the bicycle industry.

     Its foray this month into bike selling has been criticized by rival specialty retailers for everything from unfair competition because of its tax-exempt status, to a Wal-Mart-style money grab, to unethical sourcing.

     Bike enthusiasts' ire toward MEC intensified when an executive at the non-profit chain slammed the bike industry in a blog on the company's website, calling it “grey, dusty and dirty.” The blog entry was later removed.

     Some bike-parts suppliers have even refused to ship to MEC, while one Quebec distributor last month dropped a major Canadian parts manufacturer from its roster because the supplier is selling to MEC.

     “It's no different to me than somebody buying a product at Wal-Mart that they could buy at their local mom-and-pop store,” says Pete Lilly, owner of Sweet Pete's Bike Shop in Toronto and former president of the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada, which represents suppliers and retailers in the estimated $1-billion industry.

     “Independent bicycle retail offers something very different than Mountain Equipment Co-op can,” Mr. Lilly says.

     Full Article
     

   No disrespect to Pete Lilly, but different types of people shop at different kinds of stores. Does he have the same objection to Canadian Tire selling bikes?

   Should only independent retailers sell bikes? Why?

2. Duncan
   Moderator
   Posted 8 months ago #
   

   Is there really a controversy? Or is this just a Globe scare piece? I'd love to hear from more bicycle retailers on this issue.

   Are backpack retailers up in arms over MEC's selection of hiking and day packs? What about winter jacket retailers?

   And, isn't it up to the consumer whether this is ultimately a good or bad development? Sales talk, and if sales are slack then we'll see where people want to purchase their bikes as a result. Lastly, while hitting the Canadian Tire level price points is difficult for most bicycle retailers, I would have liked to see MEC take a stab at these.

   Also, I've posted a few photos from the Vancouver store and a video on my blog, here.

   Duncan's City Ride - That's my blog about cycling in the city of Toronto, natch!

3. toddtyrtle
   Moderator
   Posted 8 months ago #
   

   I think that last quote: “Independent bicycle retail offers something very different than Mountain Equipment Co-op can." says it all and tells why people shouldn't be quite so threatened. I prefer my neighbourhood bike shops to big stores for the personal service they give and the fact that I'm supporting a local business. MEC's getting in to the bike business doesn't change that. I'll still be shopping in the same stores and I suspect I will be far from alone in this.

4. joe
   Admin
   Posted 8 months ago #
   

   I had heard of some grumblings from local bike shops a while ago about this... but do not think they have any reasonable argument.

   MEC is definitely not Walmart, and just trying to be sensational to even suggest such a thing.

5. Duncan
   Moderator
   Posted 8 months ago #
   

   The bikes are now on the MEC site here www.mec.ca/bikes

   Duncan's City Ride - That's my blog about cycling in the city of Toronto, natch!

6. Scarr
   Member
   Posted 8 months ago #
   

   Yeah I was wondering about the polemics of comparing MEC to WalMart, it really doesn't compute. I've seen MEC's line-up (as posted by Duncan), and I'm sorta lukewarm on it. I'm not rushing out to replace the Bad Boy, and I'm still going to frequent Dukes, and I'm still going to go check out Sweet Pete's one day on the recommendation of friends. Also do the MEC bikes seem, um, expensive for relabels?

   It's silly to think that another player in the game is such a threat that they need to be vilified immediately. Shouldn't these smaller retailers be confident enough with their customer repeat rates? I'm pretty loyal, and I trust a good bike shop like a good dentist or mechanic. People who shop at Wal-Mart for bikes won't go to a specialty retailer anyway unless the biking bug really catches them. People who shop at MEC are there for climbing/boating/biking GEAR, and they may already be bike savvy, which means they probably shop for the bikes themselves at specialty stores anyway. MEC will turn over some sales, yes, but this isn't the end times for the small retailer.

   If anything, MEC entering the market shows that the bicycle market may be ready for more players. MEC isn't going to enter the game just because it wants to. There's research behind that decision. Clearly lots of it if they're building up their own brand of bikes. That shows a lot of confidence in the market.

   Here's what I think; The "Randal Graves" style specialty attitude I've gotten at various smaller bike shops over the years is the biggest threat to some retailers. I guess a place like MEC walking into the arena highlights that as a weak point. So maybe, small bike shops, work on customer service, don't verbally pee on newbies, and turn down the Slipknot when customers walk into the store... yes, they know you're extreme, ok?

   Not a judgement on Sweet Pete's at all, from accounts I've read and have been told, it's a great place to shop.

   Also the whole "unethical sourcing" angle? LOL. Please; in the bike industry, isn't Taiwan like ground zero for bike frames? Asia at the least for components. I dare any bike retailer to supposedly ethically source their wares. See what the shelves look like once they are done restocking. Ethical sourcing is a nice target, like being 100% sustainable, but it's reaching for the stars. It's nice when you can.

7. Duncan
   Moderator
   Posted 8 months ago #
   

   re: Scarr

   I don't know what I like better; the fact that you used a Clerks reference, or the fact that you referenced your Clerks reference.

   Very good points by the way.

   Duncan's City Ride - That's my blog about cycling in the city of Toronto, natch!

8. joe
   Admin
   Posted 8 months ago #
   

   Great points, Scarr.

   As for the sourcing issue, MECs got a bunch of information about it online here. I'd love to know how an independent bikeshop has *any* control over how their products are manufactured.

   MECs sourcing philosophy is one of the main reasons I like shopping there.

9. mecyclelots
   Member
   Posted 8 months ago #
   

   Here is my view on this. Its totally up to the consumer where to purchase their new bike. The road racers are not going to MEC. Neither shall the average week end warrior looking to join a club that small bike shops offer. I believe that consumers should be more aware of the bike shops in Toronto. Support the shops that truly give back to the cycling and bike racing community. How many bike shops can any of you name that held OCA bike races? Either road, mountain, cyclecross. A small number compared to the number of shops in Toronto. Yet people still spend money at these shops. Why?? Any shop can throw a few dollars to a charity like "Ride for Heart", and get the shops name on the flyers. That takes little to no effort. Setting up and hosting races is a different story. MEC fits the category of not hosting races and giving back this way. Sure they did do the "Greenbelt" rides. That charity event was easier then races. Less insurance involved, no closed roads, etc. Take my view for whats its worth...

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