Halfords

File:Halfords store, Savins Mill Way, Kirkstall - geograph.org.uk - 160728.jpg, Leeds (2006)]]

Halfords was founded by Frederick Rushbrooke, in Birmingham in 1892, as a wholesale ironmongery.{{cite news|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8210-1633238,00.html|title=And it's all thanks to a passion for a penny-farthing bicycle|publisher=Times Online|date=30 May 2005|access-date = 5 June 2007 | location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The company takes its name from Halford Street, named after the physician, Henry Halford, in Leicester, where Rushbrooke opened a store in 1902 and started selling cycling goods.

Halfords opened its two hundredth store in 1931, and purchased the Birmingham Bicycle Company in 1945. It opened its three hundredth store in 1968. The company became a part of Burmah Oil in 1965, following a takeover battle between Burmah and Smiths Industries.

The company was acquired by the Ward White Group in 1983, from whom the Boots Group acquired it in 1989. Halfords was later demerged from the Boots Group in 2002.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2760188/Boots-to-send-Halfords-off-on-its-bike.html|title=Boots to send Halfords off on its bike|website=telegraph.co.uk|access-date=8 September 2020|date=18 April 2002}}

Halfords was taken over by CVC Capital Partners in July 2003 and, in June 2004, it was floated on the London Stock Exchange.

Halfords rebranded in February 2003, to the black and orange logo it has today.{{cite web|url=http://www.theretailbulletin.com/news/halfords_change_of_style_benefits_barnado8217s_18-02-03/|title=Halfords change of style benefits Barnado's|date=18 February 2003|publisher=Retail Bulletin|access-date=9 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419143803/http://www.theretailbulletin.com/news/halfords_change_of_style_benefits_barnado8217s_18-02-03/|archive-date=19 April 2016|url-status=dead}}

Halfords entered into a Collaboration Agreement with Autobacs Seven Co. on 11 July 2005,{{cite web|url=http://www.autobacs.co.jp/seven_e/release/news.php?id=539|title=Announcement of Collaboration Agreement with Halfords Group plc|publisher=Autobacs Seven Co.|access-date=5 June 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928004607/http://www.autobacs.co.jp/seven_e/release/news.php?id=539|archive-date=28 September 2007|df=dmy-all}} a Japan based car accessory retailer with chains of stores all over the world and is best known for being the title sponsor of Super GT and D1 Grand Prix.{{cite web|url=https://supergtworld.wordpress.com/2018/03/05/manabu-orido-announces-super-gt-sabbatical-after-departing-jloc/|title=Manabu Orido announces Super GT Sabbatical after departing JLOC|date=5 March 2018|publisher=Super GT World|access-date=16 March 2019}}

Autobacs acquired 5% (11,400,000 shares) of the company on 13 December 2005, at approximately ¥7.5 billion.{{cite web|url=http://www.autobacs.co.jp/seven_e/release/news.php?id=590|title=Announcement of Acquisition of Stocks of Halfords Group plc|publisher=Autobacs Seven Co.|access-date=5 June 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928004621/http://www.autobacs.co.jp/seven_e/release/news.php?id=590|archive-date=28 September 2007|df=dmy-all}}

Halfords opened its first shop in Central Europe in June 2007, in a village near Prague. In the next two years, it opened five more stores in the Czech Republic and one in Poland (Wrocław, 2008). Expansion into Central Europe was seen as an opportunity, because the cars on the road tend to be slightly older there, so people would be more adept at car maintenance.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/halfords-looking-to-branch-out-into-central-europe-as-sales-buck-downward-trend-841413.html|title=Halfords looking to branch out into Central Europe as sales buck downward trend|publisher=Independent Online|date=6 June 2008|access-date = 13 June 2008 | location=London | first=James | last=Thompson}}

In March 2010, Halfords ceased its international expansion to refocus on the domestic market.{{cite news|url=http://www.autofox.cz/index.php?idx=12533&lng=en |title=Halfords leaving Czech Rep and Poland after three years, focusing on domestic market|publisher=Autofox |date=23 March 2010 |access-date = 25 August 2014}} See also links on the bottom of that article; see also {{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/sharewatch/investment-column-halfords-rides-away-from-central-europe-1926085.html |title=Investment Column: Halfords rides away from central Europe| newspaper=The Independent | author = James Moore | date=24 March 2010 | access-date = 25 August 2014}}

In February 2010, the company announced its expansion into autocare and that it was acquiring the chain Nationwide Autocentre MOT from private equity firm Phoenix. As of {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}, there are over 250 garages branded Halfords Autocentre, providing MOTs, car repairs and servicing.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8521404.stm Halfords buys car servicing firm Nationwide Autocentres] BBC News Online. 18 February 2010

In June 2014, Halfords acquired the British bicycle manufacturer Boardman Bikes Ltd. (founded by the professional cyclist Chris Boardman, Sarah Mooney and Alan Ingarfield) for an undisclosed sum.{{cite news|title=4 June 2014 Last updated at 18:05 Halfords takes over Boardman Bikes for undisclosed sum|work=BBC News |date=4 June 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27705600|access-date=20 June 2014}}{{cite web|title=Acquisition of Boardman Bikes will shift gear at Halfords|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/acquisition-of-boardman-bikes-will-shift-gear-at-halfords-9489320.html|website=independent.co.uk|date=5 June 2014 |access-date=20 June 2014}}

Halfords acquired Swansea based Tredz Bikes, an online retailer of premium bikes and cycling accessories, and Wheelies, the largest provider of bicycle replacement for insurance companies in the United Kingdom, for £18.4m, from founders Keith and Michael Jones, on 24 May 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/24/halfords-buys-tredz-and-wheelies-mountain-bikes|title=Halfords buys Tredz and Wheelies for £18.4m|last=Wood|first=Zoe|date=2016-05-24|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-06-01}}

In 2019, CEO Graham Stapleton announced he was placing greater focus on growing Halford's motoring services business. In November 2019, Halfords acquired McConechy’s garages in Scotland{{Cite web|last=Kemp|first=Kenny|date=2019-11-07|title=Ayr-based tyre centre chain taken over as part of £9 million acquisition|url=https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-tyre-centre-business-taken-20830317|access-date=2021-08-31|website=businessInsider|language=en}} and Tyres on the Drive mobile tyre fitting service.{{Cite web|title=Halfords to drive business with £9m garage chain deal - Retail Gazette|url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2019/11/halfords-drive-business-9m-garage-chain-deal/|access-date=2021-08-31|website=www.retailgazette.co.uk|date=7 November 2019 }} In March 2021, the business acquired Universal Tyres and Garages.{{Cite web|title=Halfords to acquire Universal Tyre and Autocentres|url=https://www.am-online.com/news/aftersales/2021/03/19/halfords-to-acquire-universal-tyre-and-autocentres|access-date=2021-08-31|website=www.am-online.com|language=en}}

In December 2021, Halfords acquired rival tyres and auto-care chain National Tyres and Autocare for £62m.{{cite news|url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/halfords-agrees-acquire-national-tyres-22339257|title=Halfords agrees to acquire National Tyres group for £62m|date=2 December 2021|newspaper=Business Live|access-date=6 February 2024}}

in October 2022, Halfords announced it had acquired the UK commercial tyre business, Lodge Tyre Company for £37.2m.{{Cite web |last=Media |first=Insider |title=Halfords acquires 400-strong commercial tyre business |url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/halfords-acquires-400-strong-commercial-tyre-business |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=Insider Media Ltd |date=5 October 2022 |language=en}}

Since 2010, Halfords Retail has operated around 465 stores, of which about 22 are in the Republic of Ireland, and the others in the United Kingdom.According to the [http://www.halfordscompany.com/media/6568/2009_Annual-report.pdf Annual Report 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829014240/http://www.halfordscompany.com/media/6568/2009_Annual-report.pdf |date=29 August 2014 }}, there were 466 stores including six in Central Europe, and twenty two in Ireland. In 2010, there were 462 shops left, all in the British islands ([http://www.halfordscompany.com/hal/ir/fininfo/reports/ Halfords Annual Report 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310104430/http://www.halfordscompany.com/hal/ir/fininfo/reports/ |date=10 March 2010 }}). This number had grown to 466 in 2013, according to the [http://www.halfordscompany.com/media/6574/halfords-ar2013-web-ready.pdf Annual Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329223839/http://www.halfordscompany.com/media/6574/halfords-ar2013-web-ready.pdf |date=29 March 2014 }} of that year.

As of June 2021, Halfords has 404 stores, 3 Performance Cycling stores (trading as Tredz and Giant), 374 garages (trading as Halfords Autocentres, McConechys and Universal Tyres and Autocentres) and 143 mobile service vans (trading as Halfords Mobile Expert and Tyres on the Drive) and 192 Commercial vans.{{Cite web|title=Halfords seeks 700 technicians & store workers in recruitment drive|url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/07/halfrods-seeks-700-technicians-store-workers-in-recruitment-drive/|access-date=2021-08-31|website=www.retailgazette.co.uk|date=15 July 2021 }}

In 1987, Halfords sponsored the team of Professional Road Cycling, ANC Halfords, and that year entered the Tour de France. However the team ran out of money at the end of the season and officially disbanded.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/348123/anc-halfords-the-last-british-team-to-ride-the-tour-de-france.html|title=ANC-Halfords: The last British team to ride the Tour de France|newspaper=Cycling Weekly|date=3 December 2007|access-date=6 February 2024}}

The company returned as a major sponsor of British Touring Car Championship for the 2002 season, partnering with Vic Lee Racing to sponsor its bright orange Peugeot 406 Coupé cars.{{cite web|url=https://www.historicracing.com/driverDetail.cfm?driverID=7743&otd=on|title=Vic Lee Biography|publisher=Historic Racing|access-date=6 February 2024}}

When VLR's efforts to make the grid in 2004 fell through, Halfords switched allegiance to Team Dynamics, sponsoring Matt Neal and Dan Eaves. In 2005 and 2006, Neal brought Halfords title glory, winning the overall drivers' titles. The company remained loyal to Team Dynamics thereafter, returning as a BTCC sponsor in 2016 with Team Dynamics, resulting in another title success with Gordon Shedden. Halfords remained in the BTCC until the end of the 2022 season, before parting ways with Team Dynamics ahead of the 2023 BTCC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.touringcars.net/2023/04/team-dynamics-to-take-hiatus-from-the-btcc|title=Team Dynamics to take hiatus from the BTCC|website=TouringCars.Net|date=5 April 2023|accessdate=5 April 2023}}

In January 2008, Halfords started sponsoring a mixed professional bike team, Team Halfords Bikehut, headed by Nicole Cooke.[http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/347972/halfords-backs-cooke-for-glory.html Halfords backs Cooke for Glory] Cycling Weekly, 8 January 2008

Halfords announces a 15 month partnership to sponsor ITV National Weather from October 2018.[https://www.halfordscompany.com/news-and-media/press-releases/halfords-news/halfords-is-ready-whatever-the-weather-with-itv-national-weather-partnership/ Halfords is ready whatever the weather with ITV national weather partnership] Halfords, 16 October 2018

In November 2014, Halfords announced it was going to revive its Cycle Republic chain of specialist bicycle stores, primarily focused on urban cycling and commuting, which is reflected in the brand's styling.{{cite web |last1=Butler |first1=Sarah |title=Halfords to revive Cycle Republic chain |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/nov/06/halfords-revive-cycle-republic-retailer-specialist-bicycle-shops-uk-cycling-boom |website=The Guardian |date=6 November 2014 |access-date=6 November 2014}} The first store was opened in London, on 12 December 2014.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/nov/06/halfords-revive-cycle-republic-retailer-specialist-bicycle-shops-uk-cycling-boom|title=Halfords to revive Cycle Republic chain|last=Butler|first=Sarah|date=2014-11-06|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-09-13|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} The company's shop estate twenty two shops,{{Cite news|url=http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/catching-up-with-peter-kimberley-md-of-cycle-republic/020295|title=Catching up with Peter Kimberley, MD of Cycle Republic|work=Bikebiz|access-date=2017-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824230628/http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/catching-up-with-peter-kimberley-md-of-cycle-republic/020295|archive-date=24 August 2017|url-status=dead}} and an ecommerce website operation offering an extended product range, as well as financing options.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cyclerepublic.com/service/finance|title=Finance: Cycle Republic|publisher=Cycle Republic|language=en|access-date=2019-02-07}}

The company's flagship store in Canary Wharf was opened by Olympian, Victoria Pendleton, in January 2018.{{cite web |last1=Enfield |first1=Laura |title=Victoria Pendleton reveals why she is a "fair weather cyclist" at Cycle Republic opening in Canary Wharf |url=https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/victoria-pendleton-reveals-why-she-is-a-fair-weather-cyclist-at-cycle-republic-opening-in-canary-wharf/ |website=In your area |date=5 January 2018 |access-date=2018-01-05}}

Cycle Republic sponsored the racing team, Morvélo Basso, for 2018.{{cite web |last1=Howells |first1=Kieran |url=https://www.bikebiz.com/news/cycle-republic-to-sponsor-morvelo-basso-for-18 |website=BikeBiz |access-date=2018-01-26 |title=Cycle Republic to sponsor Morvelo Basso for 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126171231/https://www.bikebiz.com/news/cycle-republic-to-sponsor-morvelo-basso-for-18 |archive-date=26 January 2018 |url-status=dead }} The company also provides event support at cyclo sportives around the country, including Etape Loch Ness, Palace2Palace and Velo Birmingham.{{cite web |title=Cycle Republic back huge Velo Birmingham event |url=https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/latest-news/news/2017/3/15/cycle-republic-back-huge-velo-birmingham-event/ |website=Greater Birmingham Chambers |access-date=2017-03-15 |archive-date=26 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126180809/https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/latest-news/news/2017/3/15/cycle-republic-back-huge-velo-birmingham-event/ |url-status=dead }} The company announced a new, strategic partnership with the folding bike manufacturer Brompton, in the end of 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bikebiz.com/business/cycle-republic-launches-brompton|title=Cycle Republic adds Brompton to store lineup|last=Morley|first=Rebecca|website=BikeBiz|language=en-us|access-date=2019-02-07|archive-date=9 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124230/https://www.bikebiz.com/business/cycle-republic-launches-brompton|url-status=dead}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Halfords}}

• [https://www.halfords.com Official website]

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