Halfords pledges support for customers of Wiggle CRC and out-of-business cycling retailers

Amid the financial difficulties of Wiggle Chain Reaction Cycles and others, Halfords has offered its support, pledging to step in to honour warranties on products purchased from retailers no longer trading.

Wiggle CRC went into administration last month as its parent company, Signa Sports United, filed for insolvency, although it’s still trading at present as a buyer is sought by the administrators.

Meanwhile, children’s bike manufacturer Islabikes recently announced it will cease production after 18 years, as the bike industry faces troubling times across the board.

Halfords, the leading retailer in the UK with a claimed market share of around 30%, has stepped forward to offer support to customers who might be left short-changed by the demise of its competitors.

“As the leading cycling retailer, we have a responsibility to support the whole market,” said Halfords CEO Graham Stapleton in a statement to BikeBiz and Cycling Industry News.

“That’s why we’re announcing today that if you’ve bought parts or accessories, covered by warranty from a retailer that is no longer trading, Halfords will honour the warranties.”

• Read more: Over 100 job losses at Wiggle CRC after administrators take control

Stapleton also stated that Wiggle+ subscribers, which gives free delivery and returns, can expect to be given a voucher for Tredz – a retailer bought by Halfords in 2016 – to the tune of £15, a penny more than the cost of a Wiggle+ subscription.

“Our Halfords and Tredz teams are working hard to see how we can support people who may be affected.

“We don’t want anyone to be left with worthless parts or accessories through no fault of their own, or to find they have paid in advance for a service that they can no longer benefit from.”

The difficulties encountered by the likes of Wiggle CRC and Islabikes reflect worrying times for the bike industry, with the pandemic boom followed by a slump that has been compounded by huge hikes in costs and inflation stemming in part from international issues such as the war in Ukraine.

Founded in 1892, Halfords is the oldest and best-established cycling retailer in the UK, although it has felt the pinch itself. The company is best known for the motoring arm of its business, and it was recently reported that the cycling share of total revenues was down to 25% from around 40% pre-pandemic.

“The cycling market is fundamentally sound and is ahead of where it was in 2019, but the extraordinary distortion caused by the pandemic and the volatility of the past three years has resulted in the closure of many independent bike shops, and now we are seeing large online retailers calling time too," Stapleton said.

“We pledge that across Halfords and Tredz there is always a full range of children’s, adult and speciality bikes available, plus parts, accessories and clothing.”