Name: Electric Bike Store
Based: Great Missenden
Website: electric-bike-store.co.uk
When we first introduced our brand of electric bikes to the UK market, we did everything ourselves.
VOLT, our range of electric bikes, began with just two of us; we spent long days driving up and down the country making deliveries and giving demonstrations of our e-bikes. It was exhausting. We soon realised that a more efficient method of reaching customers was required, and we began approaching local cycle shops.
Recognising the gap in the market, retailers we approached were very keen to work with us. As our reputation grew we got more requests from retailers wanting to showcase our products. Our new problem was that we didn’t have enough stock to meet all the requests.
We took the decision to expand our manufacturing program. By selling through bike shops our profit margins were significantly reduced, but it forced us to think bigger. At the time investing more capital into production felt like a risk but it was one that has really paid off.
With over 40 British retailers regularly selling our e-bikes, we now have time to invest in reinforcing VOLT as a quality brand, and building on our reputation. Our bikes have been featured on TV programmes like The Gadget Show, winning multiple industry awards and featuring in magazines like T3 where we won best electric bike 2014.
James Metcalfe is managing director at Electric Bike Store
