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Nov
18
Google Streetview Heads Indoors
Filed Under Attendee News, Online Marketing | 3 Comments
Not sure how I missed this news from around Halloween. Maybe I was too focused on dialing in my son’’s Ninja Turtle costume to his hyper attentive 6-year-old standards (“Dad! Michaelangelo is the orange turtle. That’s red!”). So what did I miss? Well, it looks like the controversial Google Streetview feature of Google Maps has now headed indoors.
Now, just as you can navigate up and down streets and pan around to see store fronts and unsuspecting pedestrians and sunbathers, you can wander through the insides of stores. You get the whole 360 degree, up-down and all around treatment. I just happened to be Googling one of my favorite local shops yesterday when some photos popped up in the Google Places area of the results. Upon clicking them, I noticed that I could wander through Pacific Coast Cycles’ crowded, but neat, showroom.
I spoke with PCC’s owner Chuck about this, and he said a Google person came by and took pictures not too long ago. I actually remember a few years back being in the store when a Google staffer came by to collect info about his business for Google Places. Here’s Google’s FAQ about the program.
I did a few quick searches for other shops that might have interior views with no luck. I’d love to feature some shops in this way – have any of your local shops had their insides filmed by Google? Any of you shops out there been invited to participate? Let me know. And keep your showrooms neat!
Update: Palo Alto Bicycles has been shot for Street View interiors.
Aug
25
Guest editorial by Fred Clements, executive director of the National Bicycle Dealers Association. Interbike is a full partner and funding resource for the NBDA.
From Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, August 15, 2011, page 38.
Numbers don’t lie: Dealers still find Interbike relevant
Despite the many options dealers have today to see new products, the majority plan to make the journey to Las Vegas next month. That’s the takeaway from the latest survey by the National Bicycle Dealers Association. In fact, 85 percent of dealers said they find some or great relevance in Interbike. The online study, conducted by Harvey Research, elicited 1,100 responses.
In its 30th year, Interbike continues to be the biggest single trade event in North America for independent bicycle dealers. When Steve Ready started Interbike in 1982, regional trade shows were common and there were usually at least three annually. After consolidation and some turmoil, Interbike emerged as the one big show that would meet a dealer’s needs at a convenient time and place.
And Interbike remains their first choice today, even with options like consumer events, some with a trade component, niche trade events, and private company events produced by Trek, Specialized, Quality Bicycle Products and others.
Why so much support? Why do 71% of past attendees call Interbike a “must attend” event, and 62% call it “a highlight of my business year”?
According to the survey, dealers come in such large numbers to:
- See new products, equipment, technology and services. Of the retailers surveyed, 92 percent gave this as a reason. Interbike is either effective or very effective in this regard, with 80 percent of the respondents saying so.
- Keep up to date with industry trends (78 percent). Interbike allows all companies to exhibit and gives dealers free reign to explore the marketplace without any one company or agenda running the show.
- To see existing suppliers (79 percent).
- Maintain and build relationships and networking (78 percent).
- Find new suppliers (75 percent). A surprising 50 percent report that they have a major problem with “suppliers whose actions and policies are not in the retailers’ best interest.” Another 35 percent consider this a minor problem, but still a problem. Finding partners whose values align with yours is a central task for any independent business. Interbike “consistently draws the major players,” giving dealers options, according to 75 percent of the respondents.
- Compare competing products (54 percent). While it is important to understand the products in your store, knowing the competition can be a big help in the sales process.
- Access education and training (49 percent). There are more and a greater variety of seminars and tech clinics at Interbike than at any other industry event.
- See or participate in product demos (45 percent). The Outdoor Demo has added a dimension that allows direct comparison of bicycles in the field. This goes well beyond spec and speaks to the experience itself.
- Meet with vendor executives (45 percent). Working with sales staff is fundamental. Engaging upper management allows more strategic issues to be addressed.
- See new products first reviewed online (45 percent). A majority of retailers also said that Interbike helps them “stay ahead of the consumer” (76 percent).
- Make purchases (36 percent). Even with many companies pushing for earlier ordering commitments, only 22 percent of dealer orders are finalized prior to Interbike. More than half of respondents (59 percent) said Interbike is important for confirming their final mix of preseason orders.
The numbers speak for themselves. Interbike is still perceived as a smart investment by a majority of dealers. And attendance figures back this up, with thousands spending their own time and money to attend every year, voting with their feet. As one Northern California dealer recently told me, “I do think of Interbike as our show.”
Still, there is no show without dealers. So, I urge every independent bicycle dealer to make the trip to Las Vegas this year. It’s a good use of time and money.
Jun
15
Tiny Bike Shop Concerts
Filed Under Events, Industry News | Comments Off
Courtesy of the Elevation Outdoors Magazine newsletter, I learned about this cool concert series presented by Banjo Brothers Bag Co. The first stop was held at Calhoun Cycle in Minneapolis this past March. Looks like they streamed it live, so it’s a shame I didn’t know about it until now. Click the image below for some more photos of the event featuring singer Brianna Lane.
Mike Vanderscheuren, one of the founders of Banjo Brothers, came up with the concept.
From the Elevation Outdoors article:
Called the Tiny Bikeshop Concert Series, the concept was created with a goal to offer “free live music shows held in the world’s best bike shops.” Sponsored by Banjo Brothers International, a Minneapolis maker of messenger bags, packs and bike accessories, the series was built on the premise of local culture, bikes and music coming together as a natural fit.
About 100 enthusiasts showed up for the “seminars, swag and good times.”
Jun
14
Stroke of Greenius: Repurposing Paper Bags
Filed Under Green Efforts, Interbike | Comments Off
Every once in a while you run across a really great idea. This one comes from Golden Saddle Cyclery in Los Angeles.
We’ve all read about government efforts to reduce or eliminate shopping bag use by retailers including outright bans of their use in some areas. I think we can all agree, in principle, that less bag and packaging waste is good, but in many cases, shoppers still need something to carry their goods in. Golden Saddle has come up with an elegant solution for repurposing paper nags.
They encourage customers to bring in a paper shopping bag in good condition and, in return, they offer a one dollar discount on an inner tube purchase. Once in possession of the bag, they brand it with a Golden Saddle Cyclery logo courtesy of a custom rubber stamp and reuse it. Bags handed out by some of the high end retailers as shown in the photos are pretty well made and durable and make for a nice branding statement with the new stamp.
I’m sure not all bags brought in are from Bloomingdale’s and REI, but most paper bags – especially of the craft paper type – should look decent with a fresh stamp. Probably even clean grocery store bags. Though you get extra points for Whole Foods bags, of course. I mean who would you rather associate your store’s brand with: Albertson’s, Kroger, Stop-and-Shop or Whole Foods?
Nice job, guys. Reduce some waste, save some money, encourage customer loyalty, promote your store. Love the logo designs, btw.