Sluggish sales of conventional bicycles and diversification of bicycle use

「In the bicycle retail industry, demand for replacing bicycles with new ones remained sluggish, against a backdrop of longer replacement cycles as consumers shifted to higher-priced, high-function products such as electric-assist bicycles, as well as weaker consumer appetite for spending due to rising prices. At the same time, the trend toward using a single bicycle for longer while having it repaired and maintained became even stronger.」

「In the bicycle retail industry, replacement purchases of new bicycles declined due to a longer replacement cycle accompanying the shift toward high-functionality products such as electric-assist bicycles, as well as weaker consumer sentiment caused by higher prices. However, the trend toward using a single bicycle for longer while having it repaired and maintained became even stronger.」

「In the bicycle industry, replacement cycles lengthened as demand increased for higher-performance, higher-priced electric-assist bicycles and consumers became more cost-conscious amid rising prices, resulting in sluggish sales of new bicycles.」

「In the bicycle industry, replacement demand for new bicycles remained weak because the replacement cycle lengthened as consumers shifted toward high-function products such as electric-assist bicycles, while consumer sentiment weakened as people became more defensive in response to rising prices. At the same time, the trend toward using a single bicycle for longer by repairing and maintaining it became even stronger. Against this backdrop, demand for specialist bicycle chains offering a broad product range, expertise and technical capabilities continued to increase.」

「In the bicycle industry, replacement purchases of new bicycles declined because the replacement cycle lengthened as consumers shifted to higher-function products such as electric-assist bicycles, and because inflation reduced spending appetite. However, the trend toward using a single bicycle for longer while having it repaired and maintained became even stronger.」

「In the bicycle industry, higher selling prices and rising prices put downward pressure on consumption, causing new bicycle sales to decline, while bicycle imports fell by slightly more than 10%. Demand to switch from standard bicycles to electric-assist bicycles, a trend in recent years, also lost momentum, resulting in a difficult environment marked by a slowdown across the industry. At the same time, a clear trend emerged toward using a single bicycle for longer by repairing and maintaining it rather than replacing it with a new one.」

「In the bicycle industry, higher selling prices and rising prices generally weighed on consumption, causing new-bicycle sales to stagnate and creating a difficult environment marked by a sense of slowdown across the industry. Meanwhile, the tendency to keep using a single bicycle for longer, through repairs and maintenance rather than replacing it with a new one, has become more pronounced than before.」

「In the bicycle industry, although bicycle production in China recovered substantially, sales of new bicycles slowed due to consumers' preference for lower prices amid price increases and rising costs, as well as growing demand for repairs, bringing the supply-demand gap into focus. Sports bicycles in particular remained in a difficult environment, as manufacturers and retailers took time to clear inventories and, in some cases, shifted to discount sales, creating a sense of slowing activity across the industry.」

「In the bicycle industry, bicycle unit sales remained at a low level as higher selling prices from the previous year and increases in the prices of various goods strengthened consumers’ preference for saving.」

「In the second half, bicycle import volumes recovered, but changes in demand became apparent as consumption weakened due to rising prices of everyday goods. These changes included a decline in new bicycle sales, a shift toward lower-priced products and an increase in repairs and maintenance.」

「In addition, amid consumers' increasing focus on saving, there was a shift toward lower-priced products, along with an increase in demand for repairs and maintenance as consumers deferred purchases.」

「In the bicycle industry, supply and demand changed markedly from the demand expansion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic through the previous fiscal year. Factors included a double-digit year-on-year decline in imports of almost all bicycle types, including standard and children's bicycles, due to logistics disruptions caused by lockdowns in China, as well as higher procurement costs resulting from soaring resource prices and ocean freight rates, prompting manufacturers to raise sales prices. In sports bicycles, parts shortages caused by insufficient supply from component manufacturers also continued, and popular products remained in short supply. Meanwhile, although the rate of growth in electric-assist bicycles showed some signs of slowing, demand remained high.」

「The bicycle market declined on a unit basis, partly due to increased demand for switching to electric-assist bicycles, but remained at the same high level as in the previous fiscal year on a value basis.」

「Under these circumstances, bicycles came to be recognized anew as a necessary means of transportation for avoiding contact with other people in daily life, or so-called crowded spaces. Use increased mainly for commuting to work and school, as well as amid growing health consciousness aimed at addressing a lack of exercise, and demand remained high compared with normal levels. Meanwhile, in the sports cycle sector, supply and demand became tight as parts manufacturers faced supply shortages and production stoppages in response to the global increase in demand.」

「Under these circumstances, bicycles came to be recognized anew as a necessary means of transportation for avoiding contact with other people in daily life, or so-called crowded spaces. Use increased mainly for commuting to work and school, as well as amid growing health consciousness aimed at addressing a lack of exercise, and demand remained high compared with normal levels. Meanwhile, in the sports cycle sector, supply and demand became tight as parts manufacturers faced supply shortages and production stoppages in response to the global increase in demand.」

「Under these circumstances, bicycles came to be used more frequently, particularly for commuting and attending school, as a means of transportation for avoiding contact with other people in daily life, or so-called “密” (close-contact settings). Use also increased as health-conscious consumers sought to address a lack of exercise. Their necessity was once again recognized, and demand remained at a high level. These conditions arose not only in Japan but also in countries around the world, including the United States and Europe, while manufacturers continued to face unstable supply conditions, with production slowing because of parts shortages and other factors.」

「Bicycles came to be more widely recognized as necessary, as opportunities to use them increased, particularly for commuting and attending school, as a means of avoiding contact with others, or so-called “crowding,” in daily life, and as use increased amid growing health consciousness aimed at addressing a lack of exercise.」

「Against this backdrop, bicycles attracted attention as a means of transport that enabled people to avoid crowded conditions. Demand increased as opportunities to use bicycles in daily life, including commuting to work and school, grew, and as health consciousness rose, including efforts to address a lack of exercise.」

「Under these circumstances, bicycles once again attracted attention as a means of transport that allows people to avoid crowded environments, and opportunities to use them increased in daily life, not only for commuting to work and school, resulting in a significant increase in demand.」

「Meanwhile, amid social trends surrounding bicycles, there was a growing shift from public transportation to bicycles as a means of avoiding contact with other people in daily life, or so-called “密” (crowding). In May, an example of the “new lifestyle” announced following the government’s expert panel meeting stated that bicycles should also be used alongside public transportation. In addition, as health awareness rose during the COVID-19 pandemic and bicycles came to be recognized more widely as part of the “health industry,” their social value increased and their necessity became broadly recognized.」

「Sales of products, particularly electric-assist bicycles, remained strong ahead of the consumption tax increase, resulting in a substantial increase in net sales.」

「By product category, the number of standard bicycles sold declined, but sales of sports cycles and electric-assist bicycles remained strong as demand for commuting and attending school increased. Sales of parts and accessories also increased, resulting in overall net sales remaining at approximately the same level as the previous year.」

「In the bicycle industry, while sales of standard bicycles continued to decline, sales of high-value-added products that pursue distinctive features and comfort, such as sports bicycles and electric-assist bicycles, remained strong.」

「Although sales of conventional bicycles in the bicycle industry continue to decline, the Company has expanded its range of high-value-added products, including sports bicycles and electric-assist bicycles. It has also worked to raise awareness of its “Order Online, Pick Up in Store” service, which combines the strengths of physical stores staffed by employees with specialist knowledge with the convenience of online shopping.」

「By product category, sales of high-value-added products, such as sports cycles and electric-assist bicycles, remained strong, resulting in average spending per customer significantly exceeding the previous year.」

「In addition, the average spend per customer significantly exceeded the previous year as more customers sought high-value-added bicycles, such as sports cycles and electric-assist bicycles, for commuting to work or school.」

「In the bicycle industry, sales of general-use bicycles continued to slow, while sales of high-value-added products focused on preferences and comfort, including sports cycles and electric-assist bicycles, performed well.」

「In the bicycle industry, sales continued to show signs of slowing, particularly for standard bicycles, while high-value-added products such as sports bicycles and electric-assist bicycles performed well.」

「In the bicycle industry, while demand for conventional bicycles was trending downward, high-value-added products pursuing greater preference-based appeal and comfort, such as sport cycles and electric-assist bicycles, performed well.」

「In Japan’s bicycle industry, sales continued to slow, particularly for standard bicycles, and difficult market conditions persisted. Meanwhile, bicycle use expanded substantially, including bicycle use in the distribution industry, rental bicycles in tourism, an increase in bicycle commuting driven by consumers’ preference for saving and rising health awareness, and long-distance rides on days off.」