Cycle sales put Halfords on road to recovery

BRITAIN’S cycling champions rode to the aid of Halfords this spring as exclusive ranges gave the retailer a much-needed sales boost.

British Olympic track cyclist Victoria Pendleton. Picture: Getty

Brands endorsed by Chris Boardman and Victoria Pendleton, pictured, contributed to a 15.5

per cent jump in like-for-like cycle sales

That made up for a poor performance from its car enhancement and travel divisions to give a better-than-expected 8.8 per cent increase in total retail sales for the 13 weeks to the end of June.

Matt Davies, the former Pets at Home boss hired last year to revive Halfords’ fortunes, admitted the figures were up against a weak comparative period following last year’s wash out spring, but said plans to overhaul stores were still in the early stages.

The company said premium bicycle ranges led by its own brand Carrera and exclusive Boardman range did well with sales up 22.8 per cent. And the launch of a traditional-style women’s bicycle helped its Pendleton range to a 70 per cent increase.