Accell Group's bankruptcy has created significant uncertainty in the industry. Throughout the value chain, companies are closely following all developments around the potential takeover. September is the best time in Europe for retailers to decide which brands to offer in their shop next year and to order 2027 models. Retailers are now unsure what to do, as they can't wait too long.

"Our ambition is to become an increasingly important European point of reference, while preserving its original identity." Fabrizio Ravasio, managing director of Movestro and a founder of the International Bike Festival, told Bike Europe during this year's event. As a market with deep roots in road racing, high-performance cycling and Italian craftsmanship, but one that has yet to embrace e-mobility to the same extent as its northern neighbours, the IBF demonstrated that Italy is not simply relying on its cycling heritage but is striving for growth.

In response to rising raw material, energy, and logistics costs, the industry's largest component supplier, Shimano, announced a temporary 3% surcharge on all orders with a delivery date between 1 August and 30 November 2026. How does the industry absorb these costs while consumer prices are already under pressure? Are there still enough options for alternative sourcing, component specifications, and efficiency improvements, or will it just kill margins, as Giant Bicycles announced in their half-year results?

The German bicycle market rose 10% year on year between January and June, while e-bike sales increased slightly by 2%. Despite this positive market development, the German industry association ZIV is careful in its reporting and calls it only a 'slow recovery'.

Revenue amongst Dutch bicycle retailers increased sharply in every month of the second quarter of this year, rising by an average of 13.3%. In the first quarter, revenue growth compared with the previous year was just 1.6%. The second quarter of 2026 was therefore exceptionally strong, according to figures from the H&L Benchmark Group. In the first six months of 2026, revenue increased by a total of 8.6% compared with the same period last year.

The move back to the June/July time window for Eurobike 2027, as Bike Europe reported last week, was only part of the new show concept Fairnamic developed. CEO Philipp Ferger and show director Matthias Pietsch have now explained what they learned from the previous show and how they implemented that in the 2027 edition. In a new turnaround, "the date and the rhythm of Eurobike had to be reviewed," they said.