I left the bike industry about 2 years ago. In it for 30. Talking with a couple of out of towners this weekend and it seems that the LBS is kind of going away and being replaced with corporate stores.
Their experiences confirm this and reaffirmed my decision to leave the bike biz.

Pushed to buy big, get the pro fitting, accessorize to the hilt. They left two "Big Red" shops and found a small shop in a small town to buy their bikes from. Perhaps a bit extreme, but they were extremely displeased with the corp stores they had encountered, and very pleased with the less known, but very nice Jamis bikes they bought and the low pressure no BS shop owner they bought from. They did get helmets and H2o stuff, but not the shoes, gloves, special saddles, shorts, jerseys, etc.

I agreed with them and explained what was going on in the bike industry at the retail level. I also told them it opens up doors of opportunity for young guys/gals and upstart bike brands to establish themselves. Oddly, the corp stores are losing people who are finding alternatives. Competition was meant to be crushed, but it just ain't so.

Lift one to the entrepreneurs!

Haven't seen many bike shops close up.
My experience with the corp stores (Performance and REI) when I lived in Atlanta was that they aren't always friendly, aren't always as knowledgeable as my LBS, and don't always have the bargains people may be looking for. The only bargains I ever found were for bikes or clothing that I wasn't interested in.
Bike shops on the other hand have friendly, helpful people. I'd rather spend a few extra dollars getting what I want while supporting a friendly neighborhood shop.

In reference to corporate stores, I think the OP is referring to stores owned by bike makers. I haven't seen anyone except Trek do that, although they do have a number in Florida and perhaps other places. Not sure that's going to be much of a trend nationwide because there's such brand diversity in many places that it makes it hard to compete against a good LBS. Also in many of the places that have people with money to throw down on a really nice bike, there's more of a desire to support small businesses.

I've only heard of Trek stores. Never been to one.

Here in the Orange County, the most sucessful bike store is The Path. It proudly does not cater to either Big company (Specialized and Trek). It was OC's largest Specialized dealer but refused to go concept, so Specialized pulled out. Didn't hurt the store at all. They just brought in other brands which customers ate up.

The whole concept thing is interesting... has ruined interest in using an LBS and instead many people shop online. Although I personally dislike The Path (because of its customer service) I do understand why the store is so popular - it's allowed to carry alot of different products - which means choices in bike brands.

Note the other sucessful shop is Jenson USA in Corona - also not a concept store.

You would think the Big Brand owners would wise up... the concept marketing is not working...

Here in Southern California both Specialized and Trek franchise out CONCEPT stores. In order to sell those products you must agree, contractually, to sell only those brands (with some exception - for instance I bought my Landshark through a Trek shop up in Santa Maria). Most stores around are either Specialized or Trek - it's like deciding between Coke or Pepsi when there are other colas out there... now you just have to try harder to find different bikes.

I have no complaints about my Trek dealer in Valencia. Good people there. Helpful, knowledgeable, and doesn't up-sell. Trying to justify n+1 in the form of a Domane 6.

I have rented from a few in Florida when we've been down on vacation, as a rental makes more sense than paying extra luggage fees and the hassle of carrying one of my own bikes. They're fine for what they are, which is a showcase for Trek products. I've found the service to be as good as anywhere else.

We currently have 2 LBS's here in Parker (which, BTW, was just selected as among the top 15 places to live in the USA - according to a CNN survey) one is a small corporation of 3 stores in the metro area and one a 2 man shop catering to the ultra elite with Colnagos and Pinarellos - currently dropping Bianchi. Given the amount of $$ here (in the top of the nation on per capita income) he is doing great. He also does excellent shop work and charges accordingly. He has carved out a nice niche. Specializes in Campy.

He once carried Specialized, but did not want to devote most of his store to one brand. Neither did the other LBS, which carries Trek (I believe) along with some other brands, and caters to the not-so-elite crowd. They are doing very well.

In the past we lost a LBS to cancer, and another to bankruptcy.

I've been dealing with our local Performance store since returning to cycling. Bought a Schwinn and 4 Fuji bikes from them over the past few years. Very happy with the bikes, prices and service. I do my own maintenance so haven't dealt much with their service people other than new bike set up, a few recommendations on parts and a bike assessment (when they declared my commuter totaled after an accident and took care of the paperwork to give to the insurance company) but they have been very friendly and helpful.

And the Performance club gets 10% back in merch on purchases (more if you hit the double or triple points promotion). My last purchase was a $1,300 Fuji cross bike for my wife that was on sale for $900. Bought on a triple points weekend so got $270 in store credit (plenty to get the stuff I needed to outfit it as a commuter) and just got $100 back today because they dropped the price almost 3 months after I purchased it.

Small market , here .. Its not so much a Corp store as The fact that Trek is also the Lender of the goods
on a rotating credit line.
and the resale margins pay the Debt for the inventory.

not MgMt, just Lumpen masses..


Corp Store is what A Performance Bike Retail Outlet would be called IMO.

But Most Business are filing as corporation, so the sole Proprietor is not exposed to Lawsuits as an individual.

We have a REI, Trek and Perf Bike in Raleigh., About 1.5 hours away...Good to buy stuff the local LBS doesn't have...Between the 3 local LBS we have Trek, Cannondale, Jamis, Giant, SPecialized and some other few...ENough to have a good choice...My 1 man local shop is where i bought my CAAD8... gave me a decent deal ...

My bike store features Trek and Scott bikes, offers the Trek card, but also sells Cervelo, Fuji, and Jamis bikes. it's a big, beautiful store that also is known for it ski and competitive swimming equipment. The store has been in business since 1961 and has an outstanding reputation. At least some of the original partners are still there every day.

I won't shop for bikes, parts, or service anywhere else. In addition to exemplary customer service, they sponsor a number of charity rides, offer free bike inspections for the riders, donate parts to the bike share program I volunteer for, host an annuall bike swap, and host awesome Women's Specific nights and tri nights which offer guest speakers, free catered food and wine, tons of door prizes, and a bike raffle where the proceeds benefit the MS society. (I won one of the bikes. )

On my last visit, I planned to drop my bike off for a shifter adjustment and/ or repair. One of the staff took it back to the repair room immediately. He came out a few minutes later and led me back to the repair room. There he explained he had made a minor adjustment and then proceeded to fully explain and demonstrate "trim positions." I had no idea! When I asked him what I owed him-"No charge." Everyone of the staff treats me the same way. I love that store and if it is considered a corporate store, Viva une société!
I don't think I'm supposed to mention the name of the store here. Danzeisen & Quigley

When I bought my last bike from an LBS I bought all my accessories there. Since then I've keep it up with mail order and now internet. Except for two bikes and a frameset I've bought most of my stuff through the mail since about 1980. Sometimes the people I do business with are a small business. Probably usually not.

They just don't have a lot of the oddball things I buy at the local LBS so I mostly don't bother them except for tubes or things I might need right away. When you ride chrome moly, Ebay is your friend.

They're all people, and people vary. I've been in some smaller shops that were unimpressive, been in some larger ones that were, also. They'll sell you all the gear you care to buy, but obviously, a store that doesn't carry much clothing isn't going to try to sell you clothing so much as one that has a full line of it. The "BIG" bike store locally is just an LBS that was successful, so they grew, nothing all the rest wouldn't do if they only could work it out.
In the case of my LBS, I got my Raleigh Sojourn through them, but had to order it sight unseen. And they don't carry my size of shoes at all. So yeah, there's some limitations. They have two mechanics, one I like and trust, the other, not so much.

Hmmm, I think the Giant store I bought my 29er from is corporate owned. Didn't start out that way. But, economic factors took it that way. I could not be happier with the service I've received from them. In fact, if I my new body can't adapt to the short wheelbase of my Versailles I'll probably buy a new bike from them.

The LBS I shop at sells Specialized and Giant bikes mostly. Probably, except for the used bikes, all the road bikes are either Giant or Specialized.

None of the big guy stores here, I doubt I would like them since the larger stores and chains in other areas don't suit me or the way I prefer to be treated. We have 3 LBS here, one is barely hanging on, they were Trek and several other brands for several years but I thing the expansion they went after with opening satellite stores got to their bottom line, now only Fuji and Marin and almost nothing in the way of consumables or accessories that is worth buying.

The other 2 are our favorite LBS, Cyclesports of Pensacola (Cannondale, Specialized, Masi, Jamis, Schwinn and several Recumbent lines) and Truly Spokin' (Bianchi, Giant and several smaller lines of good bikes.) Both are good, local based solid, well stocked bike shops that are very active in events and advocacy in the Escambia and Santa Rosa County area. I will buy on-line but I try and find it in one of the 2 good local shops first, usually I can find what I need right off and at a reasonable price for me and the shop. Our main LBS, Cyclesports, is very personable in its staff, always ready to talk with you about what you need, not what they want to move out and very good service. I intend to continue to shop with the 2 good shops and will buy the N+1 from CSP when that particular bug bites me again.

Both Performance and Trek stores exist here in Naperville. I always go to LBS first, and one just recently closed down (Bike Line). I go to Perf for their selection of stuff you need to try on (clothes, helmets, shoes, etc) because the LBS's never seem to have a good selection. But for big items (roof and hitch racks mostly) I always take my business to LBS. I want them to survive. I do all my own maintenance and bike builds and buy most stuff online (love Amazon Prime), so my dealings are mostly with the store workers in back for a certain bolt or tool or such (when I need it immediately). LBS are so much better for that but I have also had Perf guys give me stuff from their junk drawers.

I've often dreamed of operating a small bike shop (coffee shop or ale house connected to it would also be cool) but I know it's not a money maker and couldn't easily support good workers. If I were to come into some significant money I would consider opening such a shop and operating at a loss. Essentially a retirement hobby. But I also would not want to undercut or compete with other LBS's who are trying to survive. Hmmm.

Aren't we confusing the corp store with chains? Performance is a N. Carolina chain store, (REI is a 75 yr old co-op). Mike's Bikes (Marin) and Performance (N. Carolina) are putting the pressure on our LBSs, two new ones closed locally. It seems the LBSs selling high end bikes have a real problem with the chains and perhaps the corp stores, those selling low end bikes & MTB to the rec crowd do much better locally.

All and all, seems like a terrible business to invest in to me: small margins and competition coming from everywhere.., including Walmart / Bikes Direct / Amazon / Chains / Corp Outlets / eBay, etc..

The closest shop to my home is a Performance Bikes, and I go there if I need something on a Sunday, when my favorite LBS (Pacific Coast Cycles in Oceanside) is closed. Chuck at PCC cannot beat Performance on price, but is willing to deal, and the service is slow, but top notch. It is just him, his wife, and an occasional part time mechanic. They also have a location that the corp's would love except the square footage wouldn't make it for them. That location right on the old Pacific Coast Highway is one of the things that keeps them jumping. I get annoyed with the "want fries with that" up sell mentality that goes with the corp. stores too.

Although personally I do not shop at this store (I have a mechanic at home and we get parts etc online)... I do want to give them some props since they have been so nice to two of my friends who recently purchased road bikes (after riding hybrids for many years). JAX Bicycle in Irvine, CA is a Concept Trek store. It used to be a "carry everything" store and I shopped there then but when it went Trek all the time, I stopped. But for my friends, they always have good product on sale. And - this is the prop - they treat my friends well. It a great place to bring in a new rider. The sales staff is patient, courteous, knowledgeable and informative. They will walk a new rider throught he whole buying the right bike process without making the purchaser feel stupid. Took two friends in (one last year and the other last week) and both walked out very happy with their new purchases. And the shop earned these new customers who will keep coming back.

Isn't that what we all want in a bike store?

The local bike shops in the Phoenix area are fairly strong. Some have multiple locations. Landis Cyclery is a great shop, and is where I have purchased all my bikes. They are a distributor for Trek and Specialized.

I do like REI. I purchased my Garmin and bike shoes from there.

We have an REI and three Performance stores within 20 miles. I tend to only use them for small things like tubes, handle bar wrap, etc. The exception being that I really like the Performance Ultra bibs. They just work for me. So, I buy all of my bibs there. Otherwise, my favorite LBS is much more knowledgeable and reliably consistent. That is perhaps my biggest complaint with the larger company stores. The service, level of knowledge and skill can vary a great deal from day to day.

I use an LBS that's been in business since 1957--although it is now under a different name since it was taken over by on of the original owner's employees, Conte's Bike Shop, now Village Bicycle in Newport News, VA. I almost always give them first crack at getting me an item. I only go to a different store if I have to have something immediately that they don't have or they are closed. I do buy online occasionally, but pretty much only because the LBS can't get that item. My LBS treats me well and has treated anyone I've sent there really well.