Scan Magazine | Business Profile | HelloRider
The future of commuting Biking is an important part of day-to-day life in Scandinavia. Today, more and more people see electric bicycles as an ideal alternative to cars. HelloRider has recently launched its concept in Scandinavia and opened its omni-channel set-up, with a combination of a strong online platform and physical stores. It seems to be working; in just over a year they have become the largest electric bicycle retailer in Scandinavia. By Josefine Older Steffensen | Photos: HelloRider
“Electric bicycles are gaining popularity at an amazing speed. In Denmark, currently around 13 per cent of bicycles sold are electric, whereas this number is around 35 per cent in the Netherlands, so the growth potential is enormous,” says Olav Jørgensen, ex-McKinsey consultant and now managing director of HelloRider in Scandinavia. HelloRider has close ties with the Netherlands, as it is part of the Dutch omni-channel company, International Bike Group. International Bike Group started as a pure online player, but it has opened 52 shops across the Netherlands and Belgium in the last year and a half.
Electric bicycles HelloRider sells a variety of traditional bikes, but the company has a clear focus on electric bicycles. “We firmly believe that the electric bicycle is the future of transport. With a range of more than 100 92 | Issue 104 | September 2017
kilometres and a speed of 25 kilometres per hour, the electric bicycle is perfect for daily commuting,” says Jørgensen. In HelloRider’s user-friendly webshop, you can browse for your ideal bicycle. Shopping and ordering is easy and, with a large amount of bicycles in stock, your bike can be delivered at your doorstep in just a few days. Furthermore, HelloRider provides Scandinavian customers with the opportunity to experience bicycles at their test centres, which are located at their stores – a unique possibility to feel, see and test ride the bicycles.
High-quality service Service and guidance are critical when selling electrical bicycles. During each step within the customer journey, customers are advised by specialists. But service does not stop after a bicycle is purchased; HelloRider has developed a tight partner network with bicycle me-
chanics, or service partners, all across Scandinavia. For all maintenance services, the customers can visit a service partner close to his or her home. In addition, HelloRider’s dedicated customer service team is reachable via phone, email and chat and is eager to help customers and answer any questions they may have. Olav Jørgensen, managing director.
HelloRider: Founded: 2015 HQ: Copenhagen, Denmark Growth rate: 300 per cent Annual sales: 15,000 bikes Managing director: Olav Jørgensen
Web: www.hellorider.dk www.hellorider.se www.hellorider.no