Is Specialized going to go "on-line" only in the near future

[DieselnDust]

South Afric infrastructure still ends itself to bricks and mortar outlets, more so now with covid because a trp to the shops is indeed a trip.

 

As for the local bike shops; who are the people buying bikes? The Middle class. We have cars, usually two. The bicycle is an amusement, a toy. Its not our life or death transport to an income.

 

In Europe and USA Online is big in major city centres because its hard to find one in the centre of the city thats accessible with parking. Most people living in New York City don't bother with owning cars or if they do using them for anything other than trips out of the city. So accessing an LBS is only possible through walking, bus and train or taxi.

The bigger LBS are situated out of the city where rental is lower and the ability to carry stock is more feasible. so reaching customers in the city centres were the money is is via online. Every country will have a different situation and a different driver but humans are by and large story telling monkeys so the desire to go into a shop and chat to someone about the purchase will always exist

[Hairy]

South Afric infrastructure still ends itself to bricks and mortar outlets, more so now with covid because a trp to the shops is indeed a trip.

 

As for the local bike shops; who are the people buying bikes? The Middle class. We have cars, usually two. The bicycle is an amusement, a toy. Its not our life or death transport to an income.

 

In Europe and USA Online is big in major city centres because its hard to find one in the centre of the city thats accessible with parking. Most people living in New York City don't bother with owning cars or if they do using them for anything other than trips out of the city. So accessing an LBS is only possible through walking, bus and train or taxi.

The bigger LBS are situated out of the city where rental is lower and the ability to carry stock is more feasible. so reaching customers in the city centres were the money is is via online. Every country will have a different situation and a different driver but humans are by and large story telling monkeys so the desire to go into a shop and chat to someone about the purchase will always exist

I am grateful we are a single car household ... sold my car a good few years ago as it spent months in the garage without being used, other than a quick spin to make sure the battery did not die (again).... the commuter bike has been awesome to make this happen. 

 

Given that I have a commuter bike in the CBD, it is so easy for me to get to the LBS (My weekly LBS) of choice in the City Bowl, who funny enough given this thread, is a Spaz dealer with exceptional (in my experience) client service ethics, Revolution Cycles.

 

My weekend and "home" LBS is again a Spaz dealer with the same exceptional service ethics, Cycles Direct.

 

I hope they manage to keep what they have worked hard to achieve.