There really is only a handful of great bmx shops left and everyone of us knows and appreciates the support we get from older riders…
Gav Cope
Mode BMX
Describe your shop in 100 words or less.
Small long term core bmx store that’s been trying to keep the flag flying for bmx in the derby and east midlands area, we started small, got bigger and now are a smaller shop again, but the ideas and interest behind it has remained the same since day one.
How’s business?
Well, yeah normally we’d all be coming out of winter bmx hibernation… however turns out world events had other ideas!
Aprils weather once again was really good and thankfully that was a big positive. The covid-19 lockdown changed everything for everyone. Honestly, going into this situation it was a massive unknown for my shop as we’re more focussed as a bricks and mortar destination store and although we have a web presence it’s dwarfed by a few notable others.
Basically 23rd of march in the space of a few hours we went from being still open in our retail store to packing everything up and bringing it home and hoping to trade still, all be it from a local delivery or drop ship service.
It was a leap into the unknown realistically, but as things stand 6 weeks into this situation and sales have been ok, people have continued to get in touch for any bmx requirements, and we’ve found a way to make it work, so I’m massively thankful for anyone who’s bought and supported the shop during this unprecedented time.
How long have you been trading?
16 years as an independent core store
Who are you customers? Locals or online?
Mostly locals, but our online sales have been increasing and most of that has come down to the re-emergence of older customers getting back on their bmx’s as well as new “older” riders discovering the shop through sites like Ride On, Mid school fb groups and pages (mid school dayz), as well as other fan pages for the various brands from the 90’s to present day.
What’s the scene like in your area?
Derby and slightly wider the east midlands scene very much ebbs and flows, we’ve seen it busier and we’ve seen it be non-existent, of course right now it’s a bit tricky to judge as with all the indoor parks closed and outdoor park use frowned upon or outright banned.
It’s been down to a select few really flying the flag for bmx. Asylum skatepark recently moved and reopened in a much bigger space and although not exactly on our doorstep it’s certainly close and I hope more get to ride there and require our expertise and knowledge.
Why start a bmx shop?
Well for me it was a continuation of what I was already doing, bmx was winding down a bit in ’04 and the shop i’d been running had decided bmx was “over” again. Although we’d had a solid and successful run I wasn’t really feeling this dive back into a regular cycle shop, and although it wasn’t necessarily an easy decision, I’d built up enough contacts, and the area still had a decent scene that it was an easy enough transition from employee to shop owner.
Unknown to me at the time our new shops location and a big source of it’s revenue – derby storm was to close down, so yeah in hindsight it really could’ve been the worst decision I could have made at that point, nevertheless here we are 16 years later.
What factors are impacting the bmx market right now (in either positive or negative ways)?
My original answer typed up late December ’19 has changed a bit for obvious reasons. I’ll say obviously the covid-19 situation has had a big effect and will continue to for the foreseeable future.
However, oddly a knock effect of this certainly in the uk is that bike sales have actually increased due to cycling being on the allowed list of things to participate in during this situation.
I’m not sure anyone could’ve predicted this response but its a welcome one, will it continue after this?, it’s very difficult to say, but obviously I hope so!
The other factors, well the obvious one, pile it high sell it cheap web stores with sales and discount codes being continuously offered means making those sales is very hard, and if you can make a sale you’ve made nothing on it.
Quite honestly it’s a race to the bottom, profit isn’t a dirty word, I can’t pay rent, wages or bills without it, but apparently it’s now totally fine to make barely 10% mark up….
Additionally trying to compete against products being shipped from overseas somehow avoiding import, it’s not a new thing, but honestly that one sucks and again makes selling that same item in the uk very hard.
The positive factors, for me anyway, is working with the brands that our customers have an interest in, and getting that information out there and getting those products to the very customers who are really into them, and who appreciate that we’re not the biggest, but we know what works and what they like.
Do you get support from the distributers you deal with? Is this important?
Yup, and man i’m very thankful for it, they do understand that we are here to really be the frontline of bmx, from retail to servicing, warranty to advice.
They do see that shops like mine are doing the best we can for bmx, so whether it’s hooking up a local rider, or some prizes for a jam, or just really understanding where we’re at and helping us as best as they’re able to keep us being the local hub for bmx.
It’s been equally a tough time for them during this situation, but i’ve very much appreciated the calls from them to reassure us that we’ll make this situation work out and they’ll do their best to keep supplying us so we can supply our customers and keep bmx rolling in our area and beyond.
What’s selling well at present?
Man, that’s kinda tough, not a lot! In years gone by there would be always a brand or item that would reign supreme and sell regularly. Right now, that’s not the case so much!
I would say I’ve got a good reputation for selling all the mid school bmx brands and always being on it for getting those in.
Local popular items though I guess would be federal stance xl rims and we’ve always done well with mutiny bikes products in this area, with all of their variations of bars being popular for us over the years.
This past few weeks, terrible one clothing and mugs, and the return of lord clothing (what decade is this?!)
What’s not exactly flying off the shelves?
Frames and previously to this situation bikes… what to say? …folks don’t break them as much, and they pretty much have an idea what they want as a replacement if they do.
It’s rarely the case of having a selection in store and someone popping in and just going “man that frame is awesome, i’ll take it”. Bikes were struggling massively for sales, too much out there selection wise, and it’s always on discount, so smaller local shops really struggle to sell them.
But during this time certainly the lower end entry level models have sold through due to a demand for bikes, but realistically no one saw this coming, and I’d not suggest having a worldwide pandemic was a way to clear out warehouse and shop stocks of bmx’s to be honest!
What do you do to make you stand out in the bmx shop crowd?
Not a lot! I’ve been doing this longer than some, shorter than others, the core bmx shop market is a small one.
I just do the best I can as any shop should, listen to your customer base, give good service and information, make them feel a part of your shop and scene even if they aren’t from the area or don’t pop in often.
What’s your biggest challenge business wise?
Literally making sales and staying in business! I can’t compete on price or overall selection, mail order is ruthless and I find it very hard to compete against that.
Although there are 2 indoor skateparks that aren’t far, derby’s immediate area doesn’t have one and when the weather drops it’s hard to get those customers as they go into winter hibernation.
You always are a great supporter of Ride On and other events/comps. How important is it for shops like yours to support and sponsor comps?
I do what I can, after all these years it’s great to see so many familiar faces from across the decades! There really is only a handful of great bmx shops left and everyone of us knows and appreciates the support we get from older riders, we know they’re not going to be changing setups every week! But they still find the time to buy a t/shirt or dvd etc.
When was the last time you went riding?
So my original answer was, nowhere near as often as i’d like, one of the biggest challenges of owning a bmx shop means yeah riding takes a back seat… however the relative irony of the past 6 weeks means I’ve actually been on the bike a lot more.
The downside though, I’m in a village and there’s not a whole bunch to ride here, nevertheless i’ve been out and about and made do with what’s around me!
What’s the best bargain in your shop right now?
Normally I’d have some kind of answer for this, but yeah with everything being a bit topsy turvey, I can’t really say what’s our best deal right now as it literally changes daily. I’ll say for the sake of it, United incarnate v1 frames for £150 and usa made S&M credence black magic for £400, both ends of the spectrum there but both excellent for the money.
Are you happy running a bmx shop business?
Man there’s of course days where everything works out, you feel you’ve done the best you can and it’s reflected in that, so yeah, but I can’t lie that it’s very very tough out there and it takes the shine of it a lot.
This past 6 weeks has been challenging, but I can say tentatively its been ok, and the enforced change of scenery has been a good thing, routine is the bit that many of us don’t enjoy and this big change around and much looser routine has for the most part been enjoyable.
Why should people shop with you?
Well I hope we’ve got a great reputation and that folk really know that i’ve been here doing our thing for bmx for some time now.
I’ve immense respect for my fellow shop owners that have been making it happen, i know a fair few of them and we all get on and support each other, so to be honest as long as one of us is supporting bmx the right way and getting a customer sorted out then that’s good enough for me really!
Shops website www.modebmx.co.uk
Instagram is MODEBMX