More than 40 percent of independent bicycle dealers report stronger Black Friday sales this year than in 2011, according to research firm Leisure Trends Group.
Leisure Trends broke out the IBD data for BRAIN from a broader survey of sporting goods and footwear retailers it conducted Monday and Tuesday following the busy Thanksgiving shopping weekend.
Some 44 percent of IBDs said sales increased compared with 2011's Black Friday, while 23 percent reported flat sales and 33 percent indicated sales declined.
As the holiday selling season continues, 48 percent of surveyed IBDs expect sales to increase compared with last year's period, 32 percent forecast flat sales, and the remaining 20 percent are braced for declines.
In the larger survey of sporting goods and footwear retailers — including specialty run, snowsports and outdoor dealers in addition to bike sellers — 62.5 percent expect sales to increase through year's end, while 21 percent are forecasting flat sales and 16.5 percent expect declines.
