Originally Posted by
StephenH
If it's online-only, with no possibility of local sales or service, I don't think it'll make that much impact.
I don't think there's any plan to have Walmart carry or service Viathon.
Regardless, direct sales have already largely taken over in Europe with brands like Canyon, YT, Commencal, Rose, Cube etc. Diamondback, Raleigh and Intense have gone direct in the US. Trek, Giant and Evil all have hybrid direct-sales models. Pure play American direct sales brands like Fezzari are growing quickly and selling some very competitive bikes. I think direct sales of bikes is a viable business plan.
It may cut into Bikes Direct business a bit or something.
Given who's behind this and the bikes on offer, I'd say Viathon is a different proposition than a guy in Texas selling five year old catalog frames.