Delticom, the German-based online tyre retail and wholesale firm, presented its entire range of B2B Services during Reifen in Essen. According to company representatives, which market themselves as yourtyres.co.uk over here, the trade fair appearance proved extremely positive, resulting in “hundreds of interesting and constructive discussions with international clients and media representatives.”
Bridgestone has announced its plan to acquire 100 per cent of the car service and tyre retail network Speedy France. The manufacturer intends to use the new acquisition to increase its direct access to end-users in France, one of its core European markets, as well as in other markets where Speedy has a presence. The finalisation of the acquisition is subject to approval by the regulatory authorities; once approved, and the transaction is completed, Bridgestone’s French presence will be expanded to more than 800 retail outlets, contributing strongly to its accelerated growth strategy.
Micheldever Tyre Services has bought Bell Silencer Services, founded in Swindon in 1977 by engineer Ron Bell, for an undisclosed fee. The sale reportedly took four months to complete.
…but price erosion has forced mid-range prices down too Elsewhere in this feature we have examined sell-out data, which revealed a growth trend in the UHP segment as well as details of which UHP sizes are most popular. However, this dataset was not designed to show the prices consumers are being quoted in relation to […]
After 20 months of development and two delayed launches, Encircle Marketing has rolled-out the first phase of its new corporate website and reporting centre.
According to the company, the completely re-built corporate site coupled with user login portal, gives Encircle a fresh and modern look after eight years of reporting to the tyre industry.
Wales’ Huw Lewis Tyres has added a one-click-fit feature and dual-language support to its website in a move that was part-funded by the Michelin Auto Professional programme’s business development fund.
The revamped website showcases the Michelin Certified Centre dealership’s entire tyre product range and service offering in both English and Welsh, along with a ‘find my tyres’ page that matches prospective customers’ cars with their ideal fitments.
UK car registration figures show the market continues stable growth, despite an ongoing run of strong growth. New car registrations in the UK made a modest gain of 2 per cent in April, according to figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Z Tyre has launched a new concept in car tyre retail, which it believes “could represent an exciting and substantial commercial shift for the tyre trade.” The Z Tyre Flat Rate subscription, available from 4.99 euros per month, is designed to cover all new tyre related costs, allowing the customer to fit or upgrade tyres using a small monthly subscription. The initiative aims to answer common complaints of motorists purchasing tyres – a high initial one-off cost for a distress purchase, which can often mean reduced opportunities to sell based on aesthetics, performance or expert recommendation – and the unpredictability of cash-flow for the retailer.
This year’s UK tyre retail ranking shows that the fastest growing tyre retailer is Micheldever’s Protyre chain, which added some 21 branches to its network in the last year – by far the fastest growth (both in terms of branch count and growth percentage) of any tyre retailer we are tracking. Nevertheless, ETEL remains the largest overall and is also the fastest faller, with the company running 9 points of sale less than in our 2014/2015 research. However, context makes a big difference, so for more on both these stories, read on.
Kwik Fit has doubled the fleet warranty it offers on friction brake parts. According to the company, it is an “industry-leading move that will deliver operating cost savings to the corporate sector”. This means the firm now offers 24 months/24,000 miles warranty, up from 12 months/12,000 miles across brake pads, discs, drums and shoes. Kwik Fit reports that it is able to do this due to the training and workmanship of its expert technicians.
The Kwik Fit Group has agreed a partnership deal that sees the Kwik Fit tyre retail and fast-fit brand expand into Italy. Under the terms of the agreement, 200 centres are set to open over the next decade.
The expansion is based on a franchise agreement with CDG-ONE, part of Segema S.p.A., a leading tyre distribution group in Italy. Segema imports and distributes Yokohama tyres in Italy through Yokohama Italia S.p.A. and GiTi Tyres through Magri Gomme S.p.A.
thebestof UK Business Award winner 2016 for Tyre Dealers in the UK has been won by Supertyres Motorists Centre in Welwyn Garden City. This well-established, family-run business received 142 reviews during the course of the campaign, which ran from the 4th to the 31st of January. Supertyres Motorists Centre also won the best business in Welwyn Hatfield, after a hard fought battle with Welwyn Roofbox Hire (128 reviews).
The Point S network has enjoyed growth in its country of origin over the past few years. The French Point S operation, which this year celebrates 45 years in the business, is now present in 470 locations. Last year, 53 new sites joined the network, and Point S managing director Christophe Rollet anticipates that by the end of 2016 the French Point S network will boast more than 500 points of sale.
Central Tyre, Chester has been names as the 2015/16 Pirelli Performance Centre of the year. Each year Pirelli awards one of its 107 Performance Centres with the PPC of the year title. To determine the winner 11 top performing PPCs had a video mystery shop exercise, scored by an independent assessor. Central Tyre, Chester achieved a near perfect score and were therefore recognised with the award.
Goodyear has launched its next generation website in the UK and Ireland. While not quite the pioneering retail strategy employed by the manufacturer’s US digital platform, the new site (www.goodyear.co.uk) has increased the company’s interaction with end-consumers – a reaction to the sustained growth in consumers researching their tyre purchase decision online. In an unusual move for tyre manufacturers’ own websites, Goodyear also provides a recommended sell-out price on its tyres, which indicates a step towards the retail activity of its American cousin, albeit without any sort of requirement of the retailer to honour that price.
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