GfK research in the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium highlights four trends in purchasing behaviour and priorities when buying an e-bike. The e-bike is no longer just a recreational luxury but is increasingly becoming a serious mobility alternative that influences daily travel behaviour.
The Dutch bicycle market has enjoyed favourable market conditions throughout 2025. According to the annual report from H&L Accountancy's benchmark group, average retail revenue increased by 5.3% across bicycle retailers in the Netherlands. However, at the same time, the gross margin decreased by 0.9 percentage points, bringing it to 28.0% as labour costs put pressure on margins.
This year, multi-sports chain store retailer and manufacturer Decathlon is continuing its expansion in Germany. Following the grand opening of its hundredth store in Nuremberg last November, Decathlon-Germany has announced its goal to operate at least 150 stores by 2027.
The announcement that Austrian Spar sold its domestic sporting goods chain Hervis, including all 134 existing stores in Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Bavaria, marks a major shift in bicycle retail for Central Europe. The agreement, concluded this week, includes the transition of all employees. This move comes after the Austrian sporting goods retailer, which also sells a range of bicycle products, announced a "restructuring offensive."
MUNICH, Germany - Following the successful launch of the trade-in portal in e-bike refurbisher Rebike Mobility GmbH's own flagship stores in Frankfurt and Munich, the onboarding of other major IBDs is now beginning. While the nationwide rollout is in preparation, an international scaling is already in the pipeline.
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - The Dutch bicycle market has enjoyed favourable market conditions throughout the year. According to the third-quarter report from the benchmark group of H&L Accountancy, the average retail revenue in the Netherlands increased by 5.4% compared to the same period last year. It is probably not the best quarter of the year, but the market is still buoyant.
