Demand for bicycles has been declining since 2016, and according to an earlier analysis, bike shop closures through 2017 and 2018 were at their highest rate since the 1960s. “For a great bike shop go to Rat Race Cycles.”This message was on the photograph sent out to Corden's 10.3 million followers and was welcomed by Pete Owen, who owns Rat Race Cycles. Also on the top floor is the shop’s bike fitting service. Like all bike shops Pearson’s gets its fair share of “showroomers” – internet shoppers using brick-and-mortar shops to try on clothes and shoes – but the shop’s staff-training manual offers guidance on how to deal with such customers. Ben Othen of Bikeshak in Altrincham, Cheshire, said: “We opened our doors with open arms to our customers and the public to remind them that local bike shops are awesome and need their support now more than ever.”

Source: Forbes January 07, 2019 15:56 UTC