Thursday 16 January 2014 3:27 am

Holiday season sees bumper bike sales for Halfords

Halfords Group has reported strong growth for the 15 and 41-week periods to 10 January. The company received a boost from bumper retail cycling sales, which grew 19 per cent over the 15 week period to 10 January.

The group enjoyed a particularly strong performance in accessories and children's bikes. Online retail sales also boomed by 13.8 per cent, representing 11.7 per cent of total retail sales.

Matt Davies, chief executive, commented:

Our retail top-line performance was robust in a period of comparatively mild weather. Cycling was again the standout performer, with our customers engaged by refreshed ranges, supported by a renewed customer-first promotional stance. Within Car Maintenance, despite a fall in demand for winter products and low growth in auto-parts sales, we undertook record levels of 3Bs fitting activity.

There has been no material change in Halfords' financial position and the group's expectations for the full year remain unchanged.

Matt Davies also took the opportunity to welcome the latest member of the Halfords team:

We are delighted with the appointment of Andy Randall as Managing Director of Autocentres who will lead the business through the next phase of its journey and will be in place for the start of the new financial year.

Halfords remains of the largest retailers for car and bicycle maintenance in the UK, with 12,000 employees selling 10,000 product lines in stores, increasing to 30,000 when factoring in online.