Ray is a long-time friend of Bicycle Retailer and writes occasional columnsm blogs and articles for the website and magazine.
Ray's background includes stints as a bike retailer, executive director of the Bicycle Industry Organization, editor of a trade magazine, founder of Growth Cycle and now executive director of the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association.
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — After nearly 50% sales increase industry-wide from 2019 levels in 2020 and 2021, most retailers were sitting on more cash than ever before. With no inventory available for replenishment, that cash was invested in creative ways. And as we review windfalls, we must keep in mind the corresponding human costs involved.
LOUISVILLE, Colo. (BRAIN) — Who else can claim the varied and impactful career accomplishments of Lennard Zinn? Zinn Cycles has sold more than 2,000 frames and complete bikes in every conceivable size and five frame materials. He's sold more than 800,000 Zinn and the Art of ... repair books. He's been an editor and contributor to numerous publications, primarily VeloNews.
Since our first Big BRAIN 10 survey last March, two bicycle brands (Pon and Specialized) have entered the list to replace three IBDs purchased by suppliers (Mike’s Bikes by Pon, Mike Olson’s San Diego and Portland stores by Trek, and David’s World Cycle by Trek).
DANA POINT, Calif. (BRAIN) — New frontiers of safety are opening up in the technology world. Cars sensing bikes, bikes sensing cars, once little more than a pipe dream, is rapidly becoming a reality. One soon-to-be launched solution is Spoke, previewed at the Bicycle Leadership Conference.
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — In hopes of giving Northern retailers some insight about how to prepare, we asked 2,000 shops in the South about their January and February sales.
We spoke to shop owners, front-line staff and industry experts to get a clearer picture of the rewards and opportunities available in the industry. First, we'll compare compensation and benefit numbers with other industries. Then let's look at three good things and one bad thing about working in bike retail.
I proposed partnering on a three-part series to Jay Townley and Rick Vosper after reading that the Bicycle Industry Employers Association guarantees a $32,000 a year job to mechanics who complete their training.
Outside-the-industry folks were livid. "That's not even a living wage in most urban markets!"
SAN FRANCISCO (BRAIN) — The sales surge during the pandemic had more than a few shop owners thinking, “Maybe it’s time to sell.” Low inventory, plenty of cash, over a year of working too hard, retirement age looming if not already here … what better time to sell?
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — June is Pride Month. BRAIN reached out to LGBTQ+ consumers and shop owners to gauge how our industry's doing. Can we take pride, or is there room for improvement in our shops?
EASTON, Pa. (BRAIN) — What if your shop was named Genesis and people who bought Genesis bikes from Walmart called you every day looking for help?
1600 Pearl St., Ste 300
Boulder, CO 80302
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