Stable bicycle market
(SFZ) In 2003, 267,000 new bicycles (not including children's and toy bicycles) were sold in Switzerland, 194,000 by specialist retailers and 73,000 by wholesalers/discounters and sports retail chains. The front-runners in the bicycle hit parade are still the mountain bikes with 121,000 units. The specialist trade was able to maintain its market share of 73%.
The good weather of last summer stood up to the generally subdued consumer mood, at least in the bicycle sector, and stimulated new bicycle sales to a slight plus of 1.1%. In the medium and upper price ranges, buyers focused on the specialist trade and thus on know-how, good service and an attractive selection, while wholesalers, discounters and specialist sports markets found their customers with rather inexpensive models. Around 34,000 bicycles were manufactured or assembled in our country. The manufacturers relied on flexible assembly of high-quality models in the upper price segment, which were offered exclusively through specialist retailers.
Mountain bikes in front of leisure / everyday bikes
The industry distinguishes between the two main segments "sports bikes without equipment" and "leisure and everyday bikes with equipment (lights, luggage rack, chain guard etc.)". Among sports bikes, mountain bikes clearly maintained their leading position with 121,000 units, followed by racing bikes (11,500) and cross bikes (11,000). Of the "leisure and everyday bicycles with full equipment" (city and touring bikes), 79,000 units were sold, representing an increase of 11,000 or 16%. Junior bikes with wheel sizes from 20 to 24 inches found 26,100 buyers in the version without equipment and 18,400 with equipment. For the start of the 2004 season, the bicycle industry is breaking new ground: with the "Bike Days", it is staging an event with a combined festival and trade fair character in Biel/Bienne from 7 to 9 May (www.bike-days.ch). With the periodically held training courses for its specialist dealers, which are unique in Europe, it continues to set consumer-friendly accents in the areas of technology, service and advice.
March 8th 2004