BRIGHTER, LIGHTER AND BOLD
-HALFORDS PREDICTS TRENDS FOR 2015-
Halfords today predicts the bikes, technology and motoring trends that are sure to make a splash in 2015.
2015 is set to be the year of the saddle and paying attention to where you perch your posterior will become increasingly important. Research from YouGov reveals that 88% of cyclists cite saddle comfort as the most important factor when choosing a bike and Halfords has a saddle to suit every shape and size, whether it’s for leisure, racing or commuting.
After years of all-black bikes dominating roads and dirt tracks it’s time for colour. Halfords predicts that bright neons and understated pastels will become the norm on bike frames in 2015. Bang on-trend bikes for 2015 include the Pendleton Somerby in powder blue - £279.99, the 13 Intuition Beta Road Bike with neon statements - £1,399.99, the VooDoo Bizango Mountain Bike with yellow accents - £599.99 and the Quella Varsity Collection (online only – from £329).
More than 2 in 5 cyclists use their bike for physical activity, so the emergence of the ‘super commuter’, who uses their bike ride to work as an opportunity to train for general fitness or races, should come as no surprise. This cycling tribe favours sleek bikes with strong brake discs, carbon forks and superlight frames. Given 5 stars by Cycling Plus and voted Best Road Bike under £1,000 by Bike Radar, the Boardman Team Carbon fits the bill perfectly at £999.99.
As cycling becomes ever more popular so too is the trend to share experiences on social media. The Go Pro Hero 4, £289.99 records everything in HD detail with a surge in sales predicted as more people get out and about next summer and want to share their experiences and achievements.
44% of Brits say technology is also important when driving, so the motorists’ love affair with in-car technology looks set to continue. Many see their cars as an extension of the home and expect access to the same technology. The launch of the latest iPhone has led to the development of smart tech to connect all of its functionality to your car. Exclusive to Halfords, the Pioneer DA120 with Apple CarPlay, £349.99, is compatible with the new iPhone 6.
Drivers are also getting smarter with tracking their journeys and in-car recording tech is becoming increasingly popular. Halfords has seen a 320 per cent surge in sales of dashcams and experienced 500% year on year growth online. The exclusive Nextbase InCarCam 101, £49 makes it possible for every motorist to record their journey and have peace of mind. HD recording and a 120 degree ultra wide viewing angle in an unobtrusive and sleek model make this dashcam the smartest way to access the latest technology.
In a landmark tie-up, anyone purchasing a Nextbase In Car Camera from Halfords will gain a 12.5% discount on their annual motor insurance premium from Swiftcover.com that could potentially save them thousands.
The popularity of scooters, mopeds and motorcycles will continue to soar in 2015. And Halfords has more than 250 core products including helmets, storage boxes, covers and locks to suit everyone, whether mod or rocker.
Emma Fox, Commercial Director at Halfords says: “While 2014 saw the rise of the MAMIL, we’re eager to show customers that 2015’s new trends aren’t all about lycra. We’ve been influenced by a variety of sources – bringing colour from the catwalk to bicycles, technology down from ‘the cloud’ and into cars and bike design from the velodrome onto the road. With such a vast range of influences, it allows us to bring exciting new products to our customers.”
-ENDS-
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 4468 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken in November 2015. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
For further information please contact Halfords@z-pr.com or 020 7896 3404
Halfords is the UK’s leading retailer of automotive, cycling and leisure products and, through Halfords Autocentres, also one of the UK’s leading independent car servicing and repair operators. Halfords customers shop at 465 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland and at halfords.com for pick-up at their local store or direct home delivery. Halfords Autocentres operates from around 300 sites nationally and offers motorists dealership-quality MOTs, repairs and car servicing at affordable prices.
The Halfords Group strategy is based on three pillars:
· Supporting Drivers Of Every Car
· Inspiring Cyclists Of Every Age
· Equipping Families For Their Leisure Time
The Getting Into Gear strategy for the Retail business is based on executing in five key areas in order to deliver a significantly-enhanced customer experience:
· Service Revolution
· The H Factor
· Stores Fit to Shop
· 21st Century Infrastructure
· Click with the Digital Future
Halfords employs approximately 11,000 colleagues and sells around 9,000 product lines in store, increasing to around 160,000 Retail products online. The Retail offering encompasses significant ranges in car parts, cycling products, in-car technology, child seats, roof boxes and camping equipment. Halfords’ own cycling brands include Apollo, Carrera, Boardman and 13 cycles, augmented by a range of other brands of cycles and accessories, including Kona, Mongoose, Raleigh and Pinarello. In Auto, the Halfords Essentials and Halfords Advanced ranges are sold alongside brands such as Generic Electric, Bosch, Garmin and TomTom. In Travel Solutions, Halfords sells a premium range of equipment including camping brands such as CampinGaz and Outwell. Halfords offers customers expert advice and a while you wait fitting service for consumables including bulbs, blades and batteries as well as child seats, in-car entertainment systems and a ‘werepair’ service for cycles.
www.halfords.com
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