Dorel Industries business unit Cycling Sports Group (CSG) has announced that, effective from 1 January 2011, distribution of the GT Bicycles brand through the UK-based retailer Halfords would be discontinued.
CSG UK, established last year, will take over all distribution, sales and marketing responsibilities for the GT Bicycles brand within the UK market.
"GT has always been a strong brand in the UK and CSG is putting substantial engineering resources behind it with the objective of raising the bar of quality, design and engineering,” said Russell Merry, Managing Director of CSG UK. "We foresee a very bright future for GT in the UK.”
Halfords had been a GT retailer since its appointment by former GT distributor Caratti Sport back in 1997 and achieved excellent sales through its strong commitment to the brand and its business approach.
Globally, Cycling Sports Group is focused on Independent Bicycle Dealers (IBDs) and this change in the UK is another demonstration of CSG’s commitment to this important sales channel.
Mark Peterman, General Manager of GT, added, “Choosing suitable GT distribution is done on a country-by-country basis. Paramount to every search is strong partnership relative to the fostering of the brand image, growth opportunities and a thirst for driving GT to the top of the market.
“We felt that, for the UK, a full corporate commitment to the tremendously strong IBD channel is our best solution. We thank Halfords for all their support over the past decade and acknowledge the effort achieved.”
