August marked the first month of 2012 that bicycle sales in the Netherlands increased. GfK's Retail and Technology Panel found that, compared with August 2011, sales were up by 4 percent. The average price rose by 7 percent. The boost was attributed partly to August's weather, which had 25 more hours of sunshine than usual for the Netherlands. Back-to-school promotions also helped sales in August. The increase was welcome in an industry that has had a dispiriting year: In the first half, the total market was down by 20 percent in units and 24 percent in value, because of the tough economy and bad weather in the spring and early summer. Independent bike dealers came through even stronger in August than the overall market, with sales up by 6 percent in volume and 8 percent in value. E-bikes were their biggest growth engine, with sales up by 32 percent in units and 24 percent in euros. In August, 24 percent of all bikes were sold in the DIY sector, especially city bikes. For bicycles, the DIY channel had a market share of 30 percent in August.

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