BLOOMINGTON, MN (BRAIN) — Q-Outdoor, a division within Quality Bicycle Products, has cobbled together two assortments of outdoor products for bike shops to consider bringing in as a seasonal buy. The selections include ‘cross and fat bike-related accessories.
Q-Outdoor distributes many outdoor brands including Stanley, Kleen Kanteen, Jetboil, Nemo, Outdoor Research, CRKT, Big Agnes, Granite Gear, MSR, Black Diamond, Backpacker’s Pantry and Esbit.
“We came up with these collections to essentially complete the experience for their fat bike consumers and cyclocross fans and participants,” said Leigh Carter, general manager of Q-Outdoor. “These are high-turn, top-brand accessories. With the Fat Bike Goods Collection, we are able to tie the ordering of those products with that dealer’s preseason for Surly and Salsa fat bikes. We’re trying to make it as easy for the dealer to do with low risk by extending preseason terms.”
Fat Bike Goods includes 84 products ranging from waterproof storage bags and winterized headlamps to lip balm, frame bags, winter bike helmets and even a knife for winter bike camping.
Meanwhile, Q-Outdoor’s ’Cross Fanatic Collection is a grouping of more than 100 products that the Minnesota-based distributor says helps shops connect with a wider range of ’cross fans. It includes items like charcoal grills, stainless steel water bottles and outdoor stoves.
“We recognize that there’s an opportunity in bike retail to serve the person who goes with the ’cross racer, whether that’s the mom, dad, kids, girlfriend, boyfriend or spouse,” Carter said. “They may want to go and tailgate before or after the race. They may want to have a flask with them or a cup of hot cocoa.”
Carter said these curated product assortments allow dealers to dip their toe into the outdoor category without big buy-ins or preseason commitments. There are no minimum order requirements for Q-Outdoor, Carter said. Q-Outdoor has also offered promotions around product for bike shops near or on college campuses that include slackline, disc golf and bike commuting products.
As for the ’cross and fat bike assortments, “These are items we are currently selling to bike shops. We focus on top-tier brands. We’ve vetted product and this is what we see sell well at IBDs,” Carter said. “And they’re free to pick and choose as many or few as they like.”
Shops that are strong in fat bike, bike camping, loaded touring or bike-backpacking business currently order many of these products already, Carter added.
The ’Cross Fanatic and Fat Bike Goods Collections are on qbp.com and will be available until Dec. 31.
