Originally Posted by
unterhausen
Repairs make most shops profitable, but you have to have new bikes and accessories to sell.
Bingo ! Kewpie doll awarded.
The industry is going through a reset right now as manufacturers look to consolidate the brick and mortars. REI keeps getting lots of bikes to sell (Salsa, Cannondale) and the local LBS that sell those brands are being left in the lurch. Corporate stores are getting bikes from Giant, Trek, Specialized and the local independents are not.
There is absolutely a play being made by the manufacturers here and it is not good for consumers or independent business owners in the bike industry.