PHILADELPHIA, PA (BRAIN)—Bike shipments to bike shops grew a meager 0.4 percent during the first nine months of this year, while sales grew by an equally modest 2.7 percent, according to the Bicycle Producers Suppliers Association (BPSA).
Even though unit shipments were modest, they were strong enough during the quarter to offset being down three percent at the end of the second quarter. Sales were likewise strong enough during the quarter to lift the flat report at six months.
Three of the fastest growth categories this year are juvenile categories—20-inch, 19-inch and below and 20-/24-inch BMX/Freestyle—with hybrid and full-suspension rounding out the list. Road bikes, which fell four percent in sales and units shipped, is still the dominate market category representing about a third of supplier sales. Front suspension bikes are a distant second, providing suppliers about a fifth of their earnings.
