Brad Hughes, Managing Director, and a founding partner of HPS came up through the original Schwinn Bicycle Company ranks with Karneboge.  “We traveled together almost all the time.  We were among the original product managers in the bicycle business.  Dave went on to refine his product development skills and became an expert in international and domestic logistics as well as warehouse and distribution operations,” Hughes said in making the announcement.

“Dave Karneboge and his fellow product managers at Schwinn were pioneers and broke new ground for the companies in the bicycle business, and for the Asian brands and manufacturers they worked with,” said Jay Townley formerly a VP at Schwinn, and a founding partner of HPS.

After working for Schwinn for nearly a decade Karneboge went to work for the newly formed Giant USA joining the company at their headquarters to Los Angeles, spending 28 years taking on several different positions in marketing, product development, and becoming director of operations and being appointed secretary of the board of directors.

“Like Brad and Jay, I worked with Dave at Schwinn and am looking forward to having his expertise and counsel available to me and our clients.  These are turbulent and uncertain times and Dave’s knowledge of supply channel logistics, sourcing, import, customs procedure, tariffs, insurance and warehousing adds a welcome new set of skill sets and professional knowledge to the HPS ability to help and be of service to our clients,” said Mike Fritz, founding partner and Chief Technical Officer.

“I have known the HPS team for decades and am very pleased to be joining them in my new roll as Senior Advisor to share the knowledge and hands-on experience I have gathered over my over four-decades working in the bicycle business,” Karneboge concluded.

HPS is a unique consultancy focusing on product development, sourcing, logistics and operations for its clients in human transportation and micromobility.  To learn more visit www.humanpoweredsolutions.com.

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This press release has been provided by Human Powered Solutions and published by the NBDA as a  benefit of their Associate Membership. For more information on how you can become an associate member of the NBDA, email us at heather@NBDA.com.

The NBDA has been here since 1946, representing and empowering specialty bicycle dealers in the United States through education, communications, research, advocacy, member discount programs, and promotional opportunities. As shops are facing never-before-seen circumstances, these resources offer a lifeline. Together, we will weather this. We at the NBDA will not waver in our commitment to serving our members even during this challenging time—but we need your support.

Now is the time to become a member as we join together to make one another stronger. Whether you’re a retailer or an industry partner, your membership in the NBDA is one of the best investments you’ll make this year. 

Learn more about the benefits of being a member and join now.

The post Associate Member Press Release: David Karneboge Joins Human Powered Solutions as a Senior Advisor appeared first on National Bicycle Dealers Association.

To enhance the bike retail experience with online booking has become the new norm. Before the “corona economy,” online booking was already on the retail scene. Using an online concierge from the Genius Bar to yoga classes is now the first step for premium retail experiences. That said, it has not been adopted by bike retailers at scale. While appointment-only offerings have emerged recently due to local pandemic directives, online appointments are not the norm at bike shops.

Given the new realities of Coronavirus, every process and daily routine is subject to review. The bike industry is no exception – and our retail experience deserves a better step one. In this article, I will discuss how the future was already in motion before our new normal. Most importantly, you’ll learn about how online booking satisfies customer expectations while making your life easier.

2020 BC (Before Coronavirus): Customer Expectations, Retail Challenges

Let’s start with the understatement of the year – a lot has changed in the past few months. While many of these changes feel unexpected, some of our pandemic routines were already present in our old normal. In other words, the arrival of Coronavirus just accelerated our urgency to adopt them.

For example, we’ve all fallen victim to “The Amazon Effect.” Simply put, we have fewer reasons to leave our homes or go outside. Furthermore, the convenience of e-commerce has undercut the value of one-to-one expertise that used to belong exclusively to retailers.

Collectively, these changes present several challenges for bike retailers. For instance, few online booking or e-commerce solutions are universally accessible. As a result, retailers often resort to DIY solutions that only get halfway there. However, we usually end up doing things the same old way due to a lack of resources.

The New Normal = The Best Thing For Bikes In A Long Time

Breaking news – we’re in a bike boom! Outside of inventory frustrations, there’s never been a better time to be in our work line. As we’ve seen everywhere, people are seeking outdoor activities to break free from quarantine life. Also, bikes are supplanting public transit systems due to sanitary concerns on buses and trains.

Most importantly, retailers are the go-to spot to get a new bike or get their old rig fixed. Bike shops are essential businesses in every sense of the term. However, the onslaught of demand causes us to put in crazy hours and to scramble to find ways of staying sane.

Here’s the good news – online booking is here to help. Furthermore, this isn’t just a short-term fix to get you through the boom. Before everything changed, the use of online concierge services was already becoming the new normal for retail. In short, using an online appointment calendar will pay off in more ways than one.

Online Booking: Meeting Customer Expectations, Increasing Your Accessibility

First, everyone likes to feel special – and having a confirmed appointment to meet with a salesperson or mechanic builds instant credibility. Simply put, online booking is the new step one for premium retail experiences. From the quality of the product on your floor to the level of service you provide, bike shops are a premium retail business.

However, online booking’s advantages do not end with enhancing customer perceptions. Instead of waiting for walk-ins, retailers can plan out their day much more effectively to get the most out of their staff. From adjusting schedules to align with peak traffic to preparing the team for the day ahead, there will be much less waiting for the phone to ring.

Beyond your shop floor, virtual appointments represent a whole new way to connect with customers. We all know how frustrating it is to be on the phone, trying to diagnose a service issue or describing every bike you have on the floor. With video conferencing, retailers can enable virtual sales to “walk the floor” with a customer or virtual service with a mechanic examining a customer’s bike using a smartphone. Even if customers can’t be there in person, you can now bring the store directly to them.

The Future Is Now – Online Is Your Friend

More than most, the bike industry has grappled with the best way to adopt digital solutions. However, the “iLifestyle” does not mean the end of retail. Instead, tools like online booking platforms enable retailers to reach more customers more efficiently. From real-time calendar reservations to direct links on social channels, it’s never been easier to expand your reach.

People are more motivated to get out on bikes than ever before. However, their expectations for how they get out on bicycles are not the same – and that was true before the pandemic. We can use technology to bring the best aspects of premium retail to our customers – which will never be replicated on Amazon.

In the words of a retail veteran, “we were thinking about doing this in 1 or 2 years. Instead, we’ve done it in the last two days.” We’ve all experienced several years’ worth of radical change in the span of a few months. However, introducing simple solutions like online booking can provide retailers and customers alike with a great experience from start to finish.

Words by Colby Marple

About The Author: Colby Marple is the Director of Retail Solutions at Spinlister. Before joining Spinlister, Colby has worked for 15+ years in the bike industry – beginning at Sid’s Bikes NYC before joining Cycling Sports Group (CSG). Following six years at CSG, Colby joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). He worked for Team In Training – the world’s most extensive endurance sports fundraising program to support cancer research. Originally from Brooklyn, Colby now lives in Norwalk, CT, and looks after Roubaix (his 2-year-old French Bulldog).

The NBDA has been here since 1946, representing and empowering specialty bicycle dealers in the United States through education, communications, research, advocacy, member discount programs, and promotional opportunities. As shops are facing never-before-seen circumstances, these resources offer a lifeline. Together, we will weather this. We at the NBDA will not waver in our commitment to serving our members even during this challenging time—but we need your support.

Now is the time to become a member as we join together to make one another stronger. Whether you’re a retailer or an industry partner, your membership in the NBDA is one of the best investments you’ll make this year. 

Learn more about the benefits of being a member and join now.

Contact Rachelle Schouten, Development Director, at Rachelle@NBDA.com for more information about the NBDA.

The post How to Enhance the Bike Retail Experience: Online Booking appeared first on National Bicycle Dealers Association.

Los Gatos, Calif., (April 1, 2020) – Beeline Connect announced today that it has launched Schedule, free service-scheduling software for independent bicycle retailers. With Beeline Connect Schedule, retailers can integrate online scheduling into their shops’ websites, enabling riders to seamlessly book appointments to have their bicycle service needs met. With outdoor exercise and activities even more important as the nation strives to overcome the coronavirus pandemic, getting riders out and riding their bicycles as quickly and easily as possible is critical.

“The original plan was to launch Schedule in late spring, but we accelerated the timeline to respond to the current industry needs with respect to COVID-19,” said company vice president Neil Macc. “Independent bicycle retailers are adapting to meet the growing needs of riders in safe, creative ways and Beeline’s goal is to provide tools that allow retailers to best meet the needs of their riders.”

The schedule is available for in-shop and mobile retailers, integrates with SmartEtailing, features automated email and text notifications to riders, and can be customized to a shop’s branding. The retailer can specify the hours per day for service appointments, and the software allows for an unlimited number of store locations, user logins, and service bookings.

In addition to the free service scheduling software, Beeline Connect launched Fulfillment, a standalone product for independent bicycle retailers specifically interested in product fulfillment. Fulfillment is the company’s proven, core product, with full service — from the first click, through delivery — and draws a constant supply of new riders into retailer’s shops.

Retailers have the option of choosing monthly or annual subscriptions and with Fulfillment, all subscriptions are backed by Beeline Connect’s Fulfillment Guarantee. A retailer that does not receive a fulfillment bike or product in a given month will receive a rebate applied to their account. Visit beelineconnect.com/retailers for additional details, pricing, and to sign up.

About Beeline Connect

Founded in 2013, Beeline Connect’s SaaS platform has facilitated more than 35,000 fulfillments and service appointments for riders booking service or buying bicycles and bicycle components online. Beeline Connect provides seamless, real-time service and fulfillment scheduling at all touchpoints of the consumer journey for the benefit of riders, retailers, and bicycle and component brands. Beeline Connect’s proprietary software provides plug-and-play solutions for Shopify and SmartEtailing, and the company’s sophisticated technology team co-develops complex integrations for leading e-commerce and ERP platforms. beelineconnect.com

Media Contact:

Neil Macc

media@beelineconnect.com

855-582-4537

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This press release has been provided by Beeline Connect and published by the NBDA as a benefit of their Associate Membership. For more information on how you can become an associate member of the NBDA, email us at Info@NBDA.com.

Now, more than ever, it is time to stay engaged in your business and look to others for support and guidance. The NBDA is here to help you with innovative solutions for today’s challenging environment. Please consider joining, renewing, or supporting the only bicycle industry organization with your best interests.

The NBDA has been here since 1946, representing and empowering specialty bicycle dealers in the United States through education, communications, research, advocacy, member discount programs, and promotional opportunities. As shops are facing never-before-seen circumstances, these resources offer a lifeline. Together, we will weather this. We at the NBDA will not waver in our commitment to serving our members even during this challenging time, but we need your support

Now is the time to become a member as we join together to make one another stronger. Whether you’re a retailer or an industry partner, your membership in the NBDA is one of the best investments you’ll make this year.

Learn more about the benefits of being a member and join now.

Contact Rachelle Schouten, Development Director, at Rachelle@NBDA.com for more information about the NBDA. 

The post Beeline Connect – Free Service-Scheduling Software for IBDs: Associate Member Press Release appeared first on National Bicycle Dealers Association.

This project has been developed as part of a more significant move towards significantly reducing plastic under the business’ ‘Project Green’; a campaign that aims to eliminate over 30 tons of plastic by 2023. Furthermore, this new in-store service supports Muc-Off‘s dealer network by diversifying dealers‘ revenue streams and facilitating regular repeat customs.

“Finding ways to reduce plastic and CO2 is top of the list here at Muc-Off. Encouraging and facilitating the refilling of our bottles through our IBD network is a positive step towards helping us achieve our Project Green objective and supporting our ambassador dealers.” – Alex Trimnell, Muc-Off Managing Director

Muc-Off is giving the refill Point of Sale stands to dealers for free when they place an order for 2 x 25-liter containers of Nano Bike Cleaner. The leading bike cleaning and maintenance brand aim to put 250 of the refill stations in US stores. This move would save 54,000 plastic bottles from being produced, which equates to just over 6 tons! Muc-Off also plans to roll this initiative out in other markets over the coming months, which will amplify the plastic savings.

Press Contact

Hollie Weatherstone, Muc-Off Global PR & Comms Manager

T 07497 121 606 E hw@muc-off.com

Sales Contact

Get in touch with your Muc-Off distributor or contact:

Antony Zanca, Head of North American Sales at Muc-Off

E tz@muc-off.com

About Muc-Off:

Back in 1991, Rex and Marilyn Trimnell got things started with X-Lite UK. After designing and manufacturing the world’s first twin crown bicycle fork, Rex created a perfectly pink spray to clean his kit. Rex’s cleaner was the best thing since sliced bread, and it wasn’t long before word got out, and Muc-Off was born.

Fast-forward to now, and Muc-Off is now the go-to brand for top riders. And, in case you haven’t noticed, they do a bit more than our original pink cleaner these days.

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This press release has been provided by Muc-off and published by the NBDA to benefit their Associate Membership. For more information on how you can become an associate member of the NBDA, email us at Info@NBDA.com.

Now, more than ever, it is time to stay engaged in your business and look to others for support and guidance. The NBDA is here to help you with innovative solutions for today’s challenging environment. Please consider joining, renewing, or supporting the only bicycle industry organization with your best interests.

The NBDA has been here since 1946, representing and empowering specialty bicycle dealers in the United States through education, communications, research, advocacy, member discount programs, and promotional opportunities. As shops are facing never-before-seen circumstances, these resources offer a lifeline. Together, we will weather this. We at the NBDA will not waver in our commitment to serving our members even during this challenging time, but we need your support

Now is the time to become a member as we join together to make one another stronger. Whether you’re a retailer or an industry partner, your membership in the NBDA is one of the best investments you’ll make this year.

Learn more about the benefits of being a member and join now.

The post Muc-off Rolls Out Bike Wash In-Store Refill Program in USA: Associate Member Press Release: appeared first on National Bicycle Dealers Association.