Halfords Group Plc., the United Kingdom's leading retailer of automotive and leisure products, reported Leisure revenues rose 9.7 percent in the quarter ended Dec. 30, compared to the same quarter in 2010, thanks in part to warm weather boosting sales of bicycles.
The company said that even as sales by its automobile aftermarket businesses fell, comparable (like-for-like) Cycling revenues rose 15.1 percent driven by the strong performance of children’s bikes and continuing momentum in accessories.
“We are continuing to grow market share in the Cycles category through the launch of new ranges and the introduction of new products,” said David Wild, CEO. “This Christmas we saw a recovery in Children’s Bikes and strong sales of Accessories. The economic outlook remains uncertain, but we are confident that our focus areas create the right platform for future growth.”
The Group is the UK's leading retailer of automotive, leisure and cycling products and through Halfords Autocentres also one of the UK's leading independent car servicing and repair operator. Halfords customers shop at 467 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland and at halfords.com for pick-up at their local store or direct home delivery.
The company sells over 14,000 different product lines with significant ranges in car parts, cycles, in-car technology, child seats, roof boxes, outdoor leisure and camping equipment. Halfords own brands include the in-store Bikehut department, for cycles and cycling accessories, Apollo and Carrera cycles and exclusive UK distribution rights of the premium ranged Boardman cycles and accessories. In outdoor leisure, it sells a premium range of camping equipment, branded URBAN Escape.
