UK bicycle and car retailer Halfords today reassured parents across the country that it expects tens of thousands of new children’s bikes to be delivered next week as it is preparing for the last period before Christmas.

Of course, in a typical year the ins and outs of Halfords stock availability probably wouldn’t be considered newsworthy, but the past 18 months have turned out to be anything but typical. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the availability of bikes and components has been drastically reduced, with some products now shipping with year-round delivery estimates. This is due both to increased participation – due to the fact that cycling is listed as one of the few reasons allowed during early pandemic closures – and the simultaneous factory closures caused by the closures and the spread of the world. virus.

After conducting market research, Halfords found that 30% of UK parents planned to buy their child a bicycle for Christmas this year, but supply chain issues left many wondering if that would be possible. . Halfords’ announcement defying the shortage will go a long way to assuage the concerns of these parents.

However, the store didn’t stop there in its attempt to ease the stress of Christmas. He also unveiled a new service, which he calls ‘Santa’s Cycle Stash,’ which allows parents to hide their in-store purchase until Christmas Eve, keeping it out of prying eyes and extending the magic of Christmas. for potential unbelievers.

Additional research from the store found that 55% of kids search for their gifts before the big day, and of those, 49% are successful. The store claims that 21% of the kids were then forced to question the existence of the big man in the red suit, and 11% concluding that it was in fact the parents from the start … wrongly, can I to add .

The service, which is brand new to Halfords for 2021, mimics the service offered by various local bike shops across the country. It will undoubtedly prove popular, with 57% of parents saying they have trouble hiding freebies and the size and shape of bikes placing them among the hardest to hide. It even offers a ‘bike gift bag’ for those who aren’t ready to try wrapping a bike with wrapping paper.

To ensure a bike is built and ready in time for Christmas, Halfords says orders should be placed by 8:00 p.m. (GMT) on Sunday, December 19.